French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, known for his concepts of cultural, social, and symbolic forms of capital, is explored in this special program. Topics include Bourdieu's background and early life, his involvement in activism, black cultural capital and power dynamics, the transformation of a failing school into an academy, and the application of Bourdieu's concepts in challenging the status quo.
Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of cultural capital and habitus provide valuable insights into class conflict and the reproduction of inequality in capitalist societies.
Recognizing and valuing diverse forms of cultural capital, such as black cultural capital, is essential for enabling individuals from different backgrounds to navigate social spheres effectively and challenge dominant norms.
Deep dives
Inequality and Cultural Capital
The podcast discusses how the concepts of cultural capital and habitus are used to analyze class and class conflict. The French philosopher Pierre Bourdieu's ideas, such as the cultural capital possessed by different social classes and how it impacts individuals' access to opportunities, are explored. The podcast highlights how capitalist societies reproduce and legitimize inequality, and questions the myth of meritocracy where everyone has equal chances for success.
Resistance and Cultural Flexibility
The podcast explores resistance to dominant cultural capital and the role of non-dominant cultural capital, specifically focusing on black cultural capital. It highlights how people from working-class backgrounds may have different mindsets or habitus, which affects how they perceive education and opportunities. The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing diversity in cultural capital, enabling individuals to navigate different social spheres more effectively.
Neoliberalism and Education
The podcast examines the impact of neoliberalism on education, particularly through the lens of academies and entrepreneurialism. It critiques the idea that individual characteristics are solely responsible for success and that lack of ambition is to blame for failure. The podcast highlights how this emphasis on personal responsibility can overlook systemic factors and perpetuate inequality. It discusses the tension between an individualistic approach to education and the need for more equitable and flexible forms of cultural capital.
A special programme on Pierre Bourdieu: Laurie Taylor explores the ideas and legacy of the French sociologist, best known for establishing the concepts of cultural, social, and symbolic forms of capital (as opposed to traditional economic forms of capital). His book 'Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste' was judged the sixth most important sociological work of the twentieth century by the International Sociological Association. His work is credited with enhancing the understanding of the ways in which the social order and power are transferred across generations. Laurie is joined by Diane Reay, Professor of Education at Cambridge University, Derron Wallace, Post Doctoral Fellow at Brandeis University and Kirsty Morrin, Phd Student at the University of Manchester and co-convenor for the Bourdieu Study Group. Revised repeat
Producer: Jayne Egerton
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