The Son Also Rises: Surnames and the History of Social Mobility (The Princeton Economic History of the Western World, 49)

Preface -- Introduction: of ruling classes and underclasses : the laws of social mobility -- Social mobility by time and place -- Sweden : mobility achieved? -- The United States : land of opportunity -- Medieval England : mobility in the feudal age -- Modern England : the deep roots of the present -- A law of social mobility -- Nature versus nurture -- Testing the laws of mobility -- India : caste, endogamy, and mobility -- China and Taiwan : mobility after Mao -- Japan and Korea : social homogeneity and mobility -- Chile : mobility among the oligarchs -- The law of social mobility and family dynamics -- Protestants, Jews, gypsies, Muslims, and copts : exceptions to the law of mobility? -- Mobility anomalies -- The good society -- Is mobility too low? : mobility versus inequality -- Escaping downward social mobility -- Appendix 1: Measuring social mobility -- Appendix 2: Deriving social mobility rates from surname frequencies -- Appendix 3: Discovering the status of your surname lineage -- Data sources for figures and tables -- References -- Index;How much of our fate is tied to the status of our parents and grandparents? How much does this influence our children? More than we wish to believe! While it has been argued that rigid class structures have eroded in favor of greater social equality, The Son Also Rises proves that movement on the social ladder has changed little over eight centuries. Using a novel technique -- tracking family names over generations to measure social mobility across countries and periods -- renowned economic historian Gregory Clark reveals that mobility rates are lower than conventionally estimated, do not vary across societies, and are resistant to social policies. The good news is that these patterns are driven by strong inheritance of abilities and lineage does not beget unwarranted advantage. The bad news is that much of our fate is predictable from lineage. Clark argues that since a greater part of our place in the world is predetermined, we must avoid creating winner-take-all societies. -- Taken from the book jacket How Much Of Our Fate Is Tied To The Status Of Our Parents And Grandparents? How Much Does This Influence Our Children? More Than We Wish To Believe! While It Has Been Argued That Rigid Class Structures Have Eroded In Favor Of Greater Social Equality, The Son Also Rises Proves That Movement On The Social Ladder Has Changed Little Over Eight Centuries. Using A Novel Technique -- Tracking Family Names Over Generations To Measure Social Mobility Across Countries And Periods -- Renowned Economic Historian Gregory Clark Reveals That Mobility Rates Are Lower Than Conventionally Estimated, Do Not Vary Across Societies, And Are Resistant To Social Policies. The Good News Is That These Patterns Are Driven By Strong Inheritance Of Abilities And Lineage Does Not Beget Unwarranted Advantage. The Bad News Is That Much Of Our Fate Is Predictable From Lineage. Clark Argues That Since A Greater Part Of Our Place In The World Is Predetermined, We Must Avoid Creating Winner-take-all Societies. -- Taken From The Book Jacket. Preface -- Introduction: Of Ruling Classes And Underclasses : The Laws Of Social Mobility -- Social Mobility By Time And Place -- Sweden : Mobility Achieved? -- The United States : Land Of Opportunity -- Medieval England : Mobility In The Feudal Age -- Modern England : The Deep Roots Of The Present -- A Law Of Social Mobility -- Nature Versus Nurture -- Testing The Laws Of Mobility -- India : Caste, Endogamy, And Mobility -- China And Taiwan : Mobility After Mao -- Japan And Korea : Social Homogeneity And Mobility -- Chile : Mobility Among The Oligarchs -- The Law Of Social Mobility And Family Dynamics -- Protestants, Jews, Gypsies, Muslims, And Copts : Exceptions To The Law Of Mobility? -- Mobility Anomalies -- The Good Society -- Is Mobility Too Low? : Mobility Versus Inequality -- Escaping Downward Social Mobility -- Appendix 1: Measuring Social Mobility -- Appendix 2: Deriving Social Mobility Rates From Surname Frequencies -- Appendix 3: Discovering The Status Of Your Surname Lineage -- Data Sources For Figures And Tables -- References -- Index. Gregory Clark [and 11 Others]. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 333-348) And Index. A surprising look at how ancestry still determines social outcomesHow much of our fate is tied to the status of our parents and grandparents? How much does it influence our children? More than we wish to believe. While it has been argued that rigid class structures have eroded in favor of greater social equality, The Son Also Rises proves that movement on the social ladder has changed little over eight centuries. Using a novel technique—tracking family names over generations to measure social mobility across countries and periods—renowned economic historian Gregory Clark reveals that mobility rates are lower than conventionally estimated, do not vary across societies, and are resistant to social policies.Clark examines and compares surnames in such diverse cases as modern Sweden and Qing Dynasty China. He demonstrates how fate is determined by ancestry and that almost all societies have similarly low social mobility rates. Challenging popular assumptions about mobility and revealing the deeply entrenched force of inherited advantage, The Son Also Rises is sure to prompt intense debate for years to come. How much of our fate is tied to the status of our parents and grandparents? How much does it influence our children? More than we wish to believe. While it has been argued that rigid class structures have eroded in favor of greater social equality, The Son Also Rises proves that movement on the social ladder has changed little over eight centuries. Using a novel technique--tracking family names over generations to measure social mobility across countries and periods--renowned economic historian Gregory Clark reveals that mobility rates are lower than conventionally estimated, do not vary across societies, and are resistant to social policies. Clark examines and compares surnames in such diverse cases as modern Sweden and Qing Dynasty China. He demonstrates how fate is determined by ancestry and that almost all societies have similarly low social mobility rates. Challenging popular assumptions about mobility and revealing the deeply entrenched force of inherited advantage, The Son Also Rises is sure to prompt intense debate for years to come. The book is composed of enlightening stories of every-day families who lived through teenage years with their boys. It is intended to entertain, teach, and comfort parents who feel that they are alone in their struggle with their son. Teenage boys separate from parents and achieve independence through action. Many must experience life directly, and often physically. The new hormones in their bodies together with an urgent need to become independent prompt boys to act, often without thought of consequence. Parents need to balance supporting and protecting their sons through this period with enough freedom to allow them to separate successfully and find their identity. The book is about normal boys as they move toward a responsible adulthood. It tells of many different families and sons, including the bright underachiever, the creative boy, the athlete, and twin boys