Durability in inequality discourse in the UK public sphere, 2008-2023

Savage, Mike ORCID: 0000-0003-4563-9564 and Vaughan, Michael ORCID: 0000-0003-3582-3296 (2024) Durability in inequality discourse in the UK public sphere, 2008-2023. Javnost - the Public, 31 (1). 176 - 192. ISSN 1318-3222

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Abstract

In this paper, we reflect on how the development and mutations of debates on economic inequality since 2008 reveal striking features regarding the nature and dynamics of the UK public sphere in a time of intersecting crises. We show how economic inequality is an important case study. We draw attention to the dynamic qualities of public debate in the period 2008–2015, in which there was major cross over between academic research, intellectual debate and public engagement. Even though this debate has become less vibrant since 2015 and has been substantially disrupted by “culture war” discourse, it has not been completely closed down. We argue that economic inequality issues have endured through the stabilisation by which key institutional agents have made it a central part of their field positioning. Our contribution is to offer a counterpart to pessimistic conceptions of the public sphere by drawing attention to the durability of economic inequality discussions even after the initiating crises which inspired these discussions have faded.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rjav20
Additional Information:	© 2024 The Authors
Divisions:	Sociology International Inequalities Institute
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Date Deposited:	30 Jan 2024 10:54
Last Modified:	29 Nov 2024 03:30
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/121597

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