Welfare regimes, social fluctuations and the generational gap Compared cohort dynamics in France, Europe and the United states Louis Chauvel Pr Sciences-Po Paris Site : http://louis.chauvel.free.fr chauvel@sciences-po.fr
Intentions Developing aspects of my book on cohort dynamics of inequality “Destiny of Generations” Analyzing a non-acknowledged source of inequalities : a mix between inter- and intra- generational inequalities Insisting on “scarring effects” (French : effet de scarification) linked to “transitional socialization” on birth cohorts’ objective life chances Interrogating future of inequalities and welfare regimes: we are socializing the pensioners of 2050…
General plan Definitions of generations The Long term generational progress hypothesis Collective socialization and social history Lexis diagram and cohort lines Seven generational brakes in France International hypothesis on generational brakes
Historical generation Demographic generation ( = birth cohorts) Definitions of « generation » Anglo-Saxon tradition: generation = kinship European tradition : three degrees of generations : Historical generation Collective identity and consciousness, conflictuality, generation "by itself and for itself" Social generation Demographic generation ( = birth cohorts) Neutral grouping of individuals « raw material »
Cultural or objective generations?... Karl Mannheim and a symbolic-culturalist theory of generations « The contains <of consciousness> are important (sociologically speaking), not only because of their signification, but also because they melt separate individuals into one group, they have an effect of socialization». (…dass sie die Einzelnen zur Gruppe verbinden, „sozialisierend“ wirken ) (K. Mannheim, Das Problem der Generationen, 1929) Mannheim acknowledges also the existence of a Generationenlage = objective generational situations QUESTION: do the conditions of entry of a cohort in adulthood have an effect on future life chances? Do they have effects of socialization?
The long term generational progress hypothesis Kant and the intergenerational progress : The previous generations seem to have worked because of the following ones, to prepare the level from which the followers will be about to build the edifice of which Nature has the project, and of which the former generations will be the only ones to benefit from. Their ancestors (may be with no intention), have worked with no possibility to enjoy the felicity they prepared Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Intent (1784) Medical progress = longer life expectancy in better conditions Progress in education = better integration of newer generations Economic growth = increased consumption Pacification of intergenerational relations = intergenerational solidarity QUESTION : Is that Kantian hypothesis really true?
Les temps de la socialisation La socialisation primaire (Parsons) : Dans l’enfance, le moment de l’apprentissage général des valeurs, rôles et modèles sociaux, famille comme lieu central. La socialisation secondaire (Berger et Luckmann : La construction sociale de la réalité) : Deuxième processus, de socialisation spécialisée comme « l’intériorisation de sous-mondes institutionnels ». Problème chez B&L : au long de la vie, ou près l’école primaire ? La socialisation transitionnelle (Roulleau-Berger) : Période courte de la vie où les potentialités acquises à l’école se changent en une position sociale définitive Utilité et limites de ce modèle socialisation primaire Jusqu’à la fin de l’école obligatoire socialisation transitionnelle socialisation secondaire Au long de la vie adulte
Primary socialization Secondary socialization Socialization versus individual and collective history Life cycle and socialization Primary and secondary socialization (Berger et Luckmann) The « transitionnal socialization » Long term impact of the « transitionnal socialization » : « scar effect » History and the constitution of a Generationengeist and of a Generationenlage Primary socialization Untill mandatory school (?) Transitionnal socialization Secondary socialization « adulthood » 16-18 y.o. 25-30 y.o.
The Lexis Diagram (1872)
Risks of unemployment 12 months after living school (%) QUESTION : are there long term consequences of collective difficulties when entering labor market ? Risks of unemployment 12 months after living school (%) 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% Male 20% Female 15% Birth cohort 1959 10% 5% Birth cohort 1953 0% Year 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Source : Enquêtes emploi INSEE 1969-2000, centre Quételet archive Lasmas
Seven generational brakes in France 1. Income distribution by cohort 2. Progress of the occupational structure 3. Effect of « rémanence » = Scar effect 4. Downward mobility 5. Risks of dyssocialisation 6. Desequilibrium in the political representation 7. Problems of transmission of our social model to the next generations
1. Distribution of income
Standardized income (francs 1995 CU) by age Source : Chauvel (1998), graphique 35 ; 6,65 F = 1 € Travels (% of 4 nights or more outside for leisure) : 30-39 and 50-54 y.o. Source : Rouquette et Taché, 2002
2. Progress of the occupational structure Proportion of higher white collars for two age groups and French average Source : Enquêtes Emploi 1969-2000 et Formation-qualification-professionnelle 1964 et 1977, INSEE ; archives LASMAS-Quételet Note : Les jeunes salariés ont connu un quasi doublement des emplois qualifiés entre 1964 et 1980, puis un arrêt de la croissance. Le pourcentage est calculé par rapport à la classe d'âge. Sont considérés comme cadres et professions intermédiaires ceux qui exercent effectivement un emploi correspondant à cette catégorie. Jr : classe d'âge 30 à 34 ans ; Sr : classe d'âge 50 à 54 ans. Les enquêtes FQP surestiment la part des cadres chez les 50-54 ans en excluant de l'enquête les femmes définitivement en retrait de la population active.
Proportion of higher white collars 1971-2000 3. Scar effect Proportion of higher white collars 1971-2000
Lexis Table Proportion of higher white collars (=Goldthorpe’s service class I+II) 1971-2000 Age Period 1971-1975 1976-1980 1981-1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 30-34 22,0 24,5 25,8 25,2 26,2 27,5 35-39 18,0 22,7 27,8 27,3 27,0 40-44 15,8 18,6 25,4 28,8 28,6 28,3 45-49 15,3 20,2 25,9 29,4 50-54 15,1 17,2 21,0 29,3 55-59 13,3 15,2 16,5 16,9 20,1 Source : Enquêtes Emploi 1971-2000, INSEE ; archives LASMAS-Quételet Note : en moyenne, entre 1971 et 1975, la classe d’âge 30-34 ans comptait 22,0 % de cadres et professions intermédiaires. Sont considérés comme cadres et professions intermédiaires ceux qui exercent effectivement un emploi correspondant à cette catégorie, ou retraités ayant exercé comme dernier emploi une telle profession ; femmes et hommes en part de leur classe d’âge. (Lexis) Age Period 1971-1975 1976-1980 1981-1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000 30-34 22,0 24,5 25,8 25,2 26,2 27,5 35-39 18,0 22,7 27,8 27,5 27,3 27,0 Cohort Cohort : 1965 : 1965 40-44 15,8 18,6 25,4 28,8 28,6 28,3 45-49 15,3 15,8 20,2 25,9 29,4 28,8 50-54 15,1 15,3 17,2 21,0 26,2 29,3 55-59 13,3 15,2 16,5 16,9 20,1 25,4 Cohort Cohort : 1945 : 1945 Cohort Cohort : 1915 : 1915 Cohort Cohort : 1930 : 1930 Source : Enquêtes Emploi 1971-2000, INSEE ; archives LASMAS-Quételet Note : en moyenne, entre 1971 et 1975, la classe d’âge 30-34 ans comptait 22,0 % de cadres et professions intermédiaires. Sont considérés comme cadres et professions intermédiaires ceux qui exercent effectivement un emploi correspondant à cette catégorie, ou retraités ayant exercé comme dernier emploi une telle profession ; femmes et hommes en part de leur classe d’âge.
Lexis Graphs Proportion of higher white collars (=Goldthorpe’s service class I+II) 1971-2000 lexis age/period lexis period/age
The cohort diagram Proportion of higher white collars (=Goldthorpe’s service class I+II) 1971-2000
Source : Enquêtes Emploi 1982-2000, INSEE ; archives LASMAS-Quételet 4. The newer generations know no more improvement, when compared to their own parents Intergenerational upward mobility rate and difference up less downward mobility rates Upward mobility rate difference up less downward mobility rates Source : Enquêtes Emploi 1982-2000, INSEE ; archives LASMAS-Quételet
5. A major risk of dyssocialization Evolution of relative suicide risk for two age groups (1950 to 2000) (100= average national rate for 15 to 84 yo) Source : Chauvel, 1997a pour 1950-1995 et Service d'Information sur les Causes Médicales de Décès (SC8 de l'INSERM) pour 1990-1999. Note : Depuis 1985, le taux de suicide des 35-44 ans a fortement progressé, à l'inverse de celui des 55-64 ans. Population masculine.
Oversuicidity by age group 1950 to 2000 Source : Chauvel, 1997a pour 1950-1995 et Service d'Information sur les Causes Médicales de Décès (SC8 de l'INSERM) pour 1990-1999. Note : Oversuicidity is the residual of age and period standardized suicide rates
Source : Trombinoscopes de l’Assemblée Nationale. 6. Desequilibrium in political representation Age distribution of French Députés (National Parliament) 1981-1997-2002 Source : Trombinoscopes de l’Assemblée Nationale.
Daily newspaper reading ( %) (diagramme cohortal) Note : answer « everyday » to the question : « abour how often do you read the news in daily newspapers » Participation to political discussions in two age groups Note : answer : “ frequently ” to the question : « when you get together wth friends, would you say you discuss political matters frequently, occasionally or never » Source : Mannheim Eurobarometer Trend File 1970-1999, MZES-ZUMA-ZEUS ; données fournies par la BDSP-Grenoble..
Lexis diagram and the illusion of age 7. Transmission of our social model to the next generation Lexis diagram and the illusion of age Age Death 1910 1930 Retirement 80 1950 1970 End of stable employment 60 “Jadis”… Access to stable employment 40 End of school 20 Period 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010
International variations : A french specificity? A universal evolution in « post industrialized countries » facing slow growth? Diversity in societal adaptability to economic fluctuations? Role of welfare regimes, and intergeneration inequalities Three great models of evolution : Continental and Mediterranean Europe (+ Japon) : protection of insiders against outsiders (new generations are facing major difficulties) United States and anglo-saxon countries : the new generations, in the average, face difficulties, but higher inequalities imply a divergence between lowest and highes income groups and social classes Northern Europe : Closer to a universalistic egalitarian equilibrium between age groups, genders and social classes (lower intra- and inter- cohort inequalities) Emerging countries : in fast growth countries : new opportunities for newer cohorts, and higher inter- and intra-cohort inequalities to the benefit to young university graduates in stagnation countries : intergenerational inequalities and generational destabilization
Conclusions Kant law of long term generational progress is false for short-middle term The future of Welfare state in France is highly uncertain In many countries, a better equilibrium between generations is ned Problem : the social inertia (« scaring effect ») imply a long term impact if nowadays difficulties; sacrificed generations do not easily catch up This catch up dynamics of sacrificed generations is not spontaneously effective : it can become an object of negotiation for a new Welfare state in Europe
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