Occupational Situs, Subjective Class Identification, and Political Affiliation

Abstract

The effects of occupational situs and socio-economic level (measured by income and education) on subjective class identification and political party affiliation are examined. The data represent a secondary analysis of interview materials collected in four San Francisco census tracts in 1953. The findings indicate a positive relationship between socio-economic level and identification with middle class. Similarly, those in higher positions tend to affiliate with the Republican party. Individuals in the Finance and Records and Commerce situses tend to see themselves as middle class and favor the Republican party, while those in Manufacturing and Building and Maintenance identify typically with the working class and prefer the Democratic party. These sits differences remain statistically significant when socio-economic level is controlled, suggesting the independent influence of type of work on these aspects of behavior. We suggest that the findings may be explained in terms of historical definitions of work in American society. The results indicate the utility of considering the sits dimension in the analysis of occupational structure.