The Decline of Class Divisions in Britain? Class and Ideological Preferences in the 1960s and the 1980s

In this paper the thesis of a decline in the ideological significance of class is tested by examining the class basis of ideological divisions in 1964 and 1987 using national random samples. The findings indicate that class was still as much a basis of ideological conflict in the 1980s as it was in 1964. In comparison, it was found that other potential sources of ideological preferences were both weaker and less stable, with some evidence of a decline in the conservative effects of education between the 1960s and the 1980s. Overall, the findings dot not support the claims of those who point to the decline of class consciouness : over the period examined, class is both consistent and relatively strong influence on ideological preferences.