Increased Polarisation or Professionalisation of the Occupational Structure. Is Social Polarisation on the Rise?

摘要

Much of the current interest in processes of restructuring evolves around issues of changing occupational and social structures. While there is broad agreement that economic restructuring has produced a new occupational structure in the Western World, there is a great deal of controversy characterizing the changing structure. This is to be expected since we leave behind us a well-known social structure and are entering another which is still in the process of being shaped. It is suggested in this article that if one is to comprehend the complexity involved when discussing these issues a fruitful starting point would be different welfare state regimes. Furthermore, it is suggested that different types of welfare states produce different oc- cupational structures and to varying degrees, and for various reasons, do they lead to social polarisation. Thus, differences within welfare state regimes can explain why we are experiencing divergent trajectories in employment and social stratification.