Social Class as a Determinant of Political Attitudes

Abstract

The decline in ideological class politics in an advanced industrial society has been widely publicized. Lipset (1955) maintains that in periods of prosperity, status politics appeals to resentments of individuals who desire to improve their social status, while in periods of depression, class politics appeals to individuals who demand the redistribution of income.The purpose of this article is to explore a tendency toward status politics from class politics in Japan. The data are drawn from interviews with 688 adult males in Tokyo metropolitan area in 1967.We found more than eighty per cent of our sample admitted the existence of class differences mainly based on economic inequality, and Liberal Democratic affiliation is positively associated with socioeconomic status. However, party affiliation along the social class line does not bring forth ideologically-oriented class conflict. Despite their identification with rather lower social stratum, they are satisfied with their present life, and have optimistic views of their future. Though the expansion of their class interest appeals to them, they do not want to attain this goal. by overthrowing the opposition, but they expect affuluence of society to come through cooperation of all classes. Such attitudes seem to be shaped by historical, cultural and geographical factors as well as political leadership ; that is 1) racial, linguistic and religious homogeneity, and geographical isolation strengthen conformity, 2) lack of specific class-culture prevents the formation of strong class identification, and 3) each party tries to hide political cleavage in order to increase its supporters.Today a real political cleavage exists not along the party line but between those who support the established parteis and those who deny them. Analyzing the “non-supporters” may help to explain the source and orientation of political conflict in the coming age.