Inequalities

Abstract

Since Bourdieu's famous 'Distinction', much has been written across society on the unequal distribution of cultural resources or 'cultural capital' and its role in the production and reproduction of social inequalities. The notion of cultural capital has arguably been most often associated with Bourdieu's 'Distinction'. Yet, the notion already appears in his earlier contributions to the field of the sociology of education. Economic, cultural and social capitals give a certain symbolic value - positive or negative - to individuals in society and contribute to the establishment of their lifestyle, as a set of attitudes, preferences, practices and behaviours that can be classified and that classify people. For a long time in many Western countries, the focus of debate about cultural policies has been on cultural democratization, aimed at widening access to high culture. The idea of omnivorousness has received a lot of attention in the sociological literature.