The Success Paradox : Why We Need a Holistic Theory of Social Mobility

Social mobility needs a re-boot. The narrow, economistic way of measuring it favoured by politicians and academics is unsustainable and is contributing to rising inequality. This timely book provides an alternative, original vision of social mobility and a route-map to achieving it. It examines how the term 'social mobility' structures what success means and the impact that has on society. Providing a new holistic approach that encompasses education, the economy and politics, Atherton recasts the relationship with employers, embracing radical opportunities provided by technology and rethinking what higher education means. He also goes beyond employment to incorporate progress in non-work areas of life. Based on the need to improve well-being, not just income or occupation, the book addresses one of the key issues facing 21st century society in a new way and provides valuable insights for policymakers and academics.|Social mobility needs a re-boot. The narrow, economistic way of measuring it favoured by politicians and academics is unsustainable and is contributing to rising inequality. This timely book provides an alternative, original vision of social mobility and a route-map to achieving it. It examines how the term 'social mobility' structures what success means and the impact that has on society. Providing a new holistic approach that encompasses education, the economy and politics, Atherton recasts the relationship with employers, embracing radical opportunities provided by technology and rethinking what higher education means. He also goes beyond employment to incorporate progress in non-work areas of life. Based on the need to improve well-being, not just income or occupation, the book addresses one of the key issues facing 21st century society in a new way and provides valuable insights for policymakers and academics. THE SUCCESS PARADOX Contents List of figures and tables Figures Tables About the author Acknowledgements Introduction A convenient truth The meaning of social mobility The role of education The importance of social mobility The ‘success paradox’ The rest of this book 1. The need for a holistic theory of social mobility Introduction Social mobility is contributing to dramatic rises in inequality Social mobility depends on jobs that are not there Another war that Labour should never have fought? Does social mobility lead to a better life? Holistic social mobility 2. Social mobility: rising, falling or staying the same Introduction Pitirim Sorokin and the meaning of ‘stratification’ David Glass and the dominance of class Michael Young, meritocracy, industrialism and historicism John Goldthorpe and the importance of measurement Absolute versus relative social mobility Searching for consensus The entry of the economists The UK, the ‘sick man’ of social mobility The constant flux Is inequality a problem? Conclusions 3. Unpicking the political consensus on social mobility Introduction Social mobility and New Labour Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission Social mobility, politics and the 2010s Conclusions 4. Going beyond attainment Introduction Home, school and the ‘early years’ evangelists The rise of ‘hyper-parenting’ Pierre Bourdieu, Raymond Boudon, parenting and cultural capital Schooling and confusion over character The return of the classical curriculum Are 21st-century skills solving or adding to the problem? Is there more to school than attainment? The vocational problem Education for holistic social mobility Conclusions 5. Unbundling, diversification and the ecological university: new models for higher education Introduction Access to higher education The first case for higher education The second case for higher education Beyond access and the battle for the soul of higher education Imagination and the role of higher education Disruptive forces and massive open online courses A pedagogy for holistic social mobility The ‘unbundling’ of higher education Conclusions 6. The shape of the labour market: hourglass, diamond or molecule? The ‘hourglass economy’ The shape and size of the hourglass(es) The need for low-skilled work The nature of work’ ‘The meaning of work Conclusions 7. Social mobility, well-being and class Introduction A broken Britain? Welcome to well-being Can well-being be measured? Is happiness everything? Where does class come in? Conclusions 8. A new politics of social mobility The space for a new politics The social contract Making equality matter Enlightened instrumentalism The living salary Why does changing the powerful matter? Elites and social transformation ‘It’s the economy, stupid...’ Creating ‘good growth’ Social mobility and the Left The potential for a new social mobility politics Conclusions 9. Reframing social mobility Step 1: Recalibrate occupational stratification Step 2: Change the mission of education as well as the method Step 3: Connect success with society Step 4: Take middle-class social mobility seriously Step 5: Creating a manifesto for holistic social mobility and success The case for holistic social mobility Bibliography Index As Graeme Atherton Shows In This Timely Book, The Economistic Way Of Thinking About Social Mobility Favored By Politicians And Academics Is Narrow, Unsustainable, And Actually Contributes To Rising Inequality. Atherton Offers An Alternative Vision Of Social Mobility Based On Improving Overall Well-being?not Just Income Or Occupation?and Provides A Road Map To Achieve It. After Examining How The Term Social Mobility Structures Our Understanding Of Success?and The Impact That Understanding Has On Society?atherton Outlines A Holistic Approach That Encompasses Education, Economics, And Politics. In So Doing He Recasts The Relationship Between Employees And Employers, Embracing Radical Opportunities Provided By Technology; Rethinks The Very Nature Of Higher Education; And Looks Beyond Employment To Incorporate Progress In Non-work Areas Of Life. An Innovative Take On One Of The Key Issues Facing Twenty-first Century Society, This Book Provides Valuable Insights For Policy Makers And Academics.

Social mobility needs a re-boot. The narrow, economistic way of measuring it favoured by politicians and academics is unsustainable and is contributing to rising inequality. This timely book provides an alternative, original vision of social mobility and a route-map to achieving it. It examines how the term 'social mobility' structures what success means and the impact that has on society. Providing a new holistic approach that encompasses education, the economy and politics, Atherton recasts the relationship with employers, embracing radical opportunities provided by technology and rethinking what higher education means. He also goes beyond employment to incorporate progress in non-work areas of life. Based on the need to improve well-being, not just income or occupation, the book addresses one of the key issues facing 21st century society in a new way and provides valuable insights for policymakers and academics.