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Higher education serves as initiation into elite professional-managerial class

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

This post argues that higher education functions as an initiation into a specific class of cultural elites, often referred to as the professional-managerial class (PMC). The author posits that obtaining a degree serves a similar purpose to a fraternity hazing or military boot camp, reorienting individuals to favor the group they are joining. This process, termed 'consecration' by Bourdieu, helps reproduce existing class structures through academic authorities. The author notes that contemporary PMC dynamics are highly politically skewed, exhibiting contempt for populists and a fear of losing status on the elite career ladder. AI

RANK_REASON The item is an opinion piece discussing sociological theories about higher education and class structure.

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Higher education serves as initiation into elite professional-managerial class

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The item is an opinion piece discussing sociological theories about higher education and class structure.
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opinion, other
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. LessWrong (AI tag) TIER_1 English(EN) · Richard_Ngo ·

    Higher education as class commitment

    <p><a href="https://www.mindthefuture.info/p/contra-caplan-on-higher-education"><span>In a previous post</span></a><span>, I argued that Bryan Caplan’s signaling theory isn’t a good explanation for why college graduates get higher-paying jobs. Instead, I claimed, understanding th…

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