The Class Structure of Society in the Republic of Cyprus
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Abstract
This article examines the structure of contemporary society of the Republic of Cyprus in the theoretical context of the Marxist model. The decisive role in determining social stratification at the theoretical level is assigned to the concepts of exploitation and domination. The problematic of the article is opposed to notions supporting an over-inflated new bourgeois order, shaping of social classes at the global level, fracturing of exclusive correspondence between social position and class. A critical presentation is also offered of older studies on the composition of Cypriot society. This engagement with the facts leads in itself to the conclusion that Cypriot society includes a significantly broad petit bourgeoisie (around half of the population), placing Cyprus in the category of a type of ‘transitional’ society with numerically large petit bourgeois layers along side an arithmetically smaller working class.
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Keywords
Cyprus, social classes, social stratification, Marxism
References
AKEL (1996) The Class Structure of Cypriot Society. Economic and Social Changes, Nicosia (in Greek).
Althusser, L. (1976) ‘Ideologie et Appareils Ideologiques d’ Etat,’ in Positions, Paris: Editions Sociales, pp. 67–125.
Aronowitz, S. (2002) ‘How Class Works. Power and Social Movement,’ London: Yale University Press.
Atkinson, W., (2015) Class, Cambridge: Polity.
Balibar, E. (1985) Classes, in Labica, G and Bensussan, G. (eds) Dictionnaire Critique du Marxisme, Paris: PUF, pp. 170–179.
Bensaid, D., (1995) Marx l’intempestif, Paris: Fayard.
Berthoud, A. (1974). Travail productif et productivité du travail chez Marx, Paris: Maspero.
Bieler, A. and Erne, R. (2014), ‘Transnational Solidarity? The European Working Class in the Eurozone Crisis’, Socialist Register 2015, Vol. 51, pp. 157–177.
Bihr, A. (1989) Entre Bourgeoisie et Prolétariat, Paris: L’ Harmattan.
Billiteri, T.J. (2009) ‘Middle-class squeeze: is more government aid needed?’ CQ Researcher Vol. 19 No. 9, pp. 243–262.
Bouvier-Ajam, M. and Mury, G. (1963) Les classes sociales en France, Paris: Editions Sociales.
Burbach, R. and Robinson, W. (1999) ‘The Fin De Siecle Debate: Globalization as Epochal Shift,’ Science & Society Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 10–39.
Carchedi, G. (1977) On the Economic Identification of Social Classes, London: Routledge.
Carter, B. (1986) Review of E.O. Wright’s Classes, Sociological Review Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 686–688.
Chibber, Vivek (2014) ‘Capitalism, class and universalism: Escaping the cul-de-sac of postcolonial theory’, in Panitch, L, Albo, G., Chibber, V. (eds) ‘Registering Class’, Socialist Register Vol. 50, pp. 63-79.
Christodoulou, D. (1995) ‘Where the Cypriot “miracle” has not reached,’ in Peristianis, N. and Tsangaras, G. (eds), Anatomy of a Transformation (in Greek), Nicosia: Intercollege Press, pp. 35–55.
Colliot-Thélène, C. (1975) ‘Contribution à une analyse des classes sociales.’ Critiques de l’ Economie Politique No. 21, pp. 93–126.
Croix de ste, G.E.M. (1984) ‘Class in Marx’s Conception of History, Ancient and Modern,’ New Left Review No. 146, pp. 94–111.
Dallinger, D. (2013) ‘The endangered middle class? A comparative analysis of the role played by income redistribution,’ Journal of European Social Policy Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 83–101.
Gramsci, A. (1972) The intellectuals (in Greek), Athens: Stochastis.
Johnson, T. (1977) ‘What is to be known?’ Economy and Society, Vol. 6, No. 2., pp. 194–233.
Lenin, V.I. (1977) A Great Beginning, Peking: Foreign Languages Press.
Lytras, A. (1993) Introduction to the theory of Greek social structure (in Greek), Athens: Livanis.
Malakos, T. (1991) ‘On “analytical Marxism” or why Marxists should be interested in analytical Marxism and critical of it.’ Theseis No. 36, pp. 51–74.
Martin, R. (2015) ‘What Has Become of the Professional Managerial Class?’ in Panitch, L. and Albo, G. (eds) ‘Transforming Classes,’ Socialist Register Vol. 51, pp. 250–269.
Meiksins, P. (1986) ‘Beyond the Boundary Question,’ New Left Review, No. 157, pp. 101–120.
Milios, G. (2002) ‘The question of the petit bourgeoisie. A single class or two discrete class aggregations?’ (in Greek), Theseis No. 81, pp. 59–80.
Nagels, J. (1974) Travail collectif et travail productif,’ Bruxelles: Editions de l’ Université de Bruxelles.
Palmer, B. (2014) ‘Reconsiderations of Class: Precariousness as Proletarianisation,’ in Panitch, L, Albo, G., Chibber, V. (eds) ‘Registering Class’, Socialist Register, Vol. 50, pp. 40–62.
Poulantzas, N. (1979) Classes in Contemporary Capitalism, London: Verso.
Radice, H. (2015) ‘Class Theory and Class Politics Today’, Socialist Register 2015, pp. 270–292.
Resnick, S. and Wolff, R.D. (1982) ‘Classes in Marxian Theory,’ The Review of Radical Political Economics, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 1–18.
Resnick, S. and Wolff, R.D. (1986) ‘Power, Property and Class,’ Socialist Review, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 97–124.
Robinson, W. (2001) ‘Social Theory and globalization: The rise of a transnational state,’ Theory and Society Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 157–200.
Robinson, W. (2001/2002), ‘Global Capitalism and Nation-State-Centric Thinking – What We Don’t See When We Do See Nation-States: Response to Critics,’ Science & Society, Vol. 65, No. 4, pp. 500–508.
Robinson, W. (2012) ‘“The Great Recession” of 2008 and the Continuing Crisis: A Global Capitalism Perspective’, International Review of Modern Sociology, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 169–198.
Robinson, W. and Harris, J. (2000) ‘Towards a Global Ruling Class: Globalization and the Transnational Capitalist Class,’ Science and Society, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 11–54.
Sakellaropoulos, S. (2001) Greece after the Dictatorship (in Greek), Athens: Livanis.
Sakellaropoulos, S. (2002) ‘Revisiting the Social and Political Theory of Social Class,’ Rethinking Marxism, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 110–133.
Sakellaropoulos, S. (2014) ‘Crisis and Social stratification in 21st century Greece’ (in Greek), Athens: Topos.
Vaughan-Whitehead D., Vazquez-Alvarez, R. and Maitre, N. (2016) ‘Is the world of work behind the middle-class erosion?’ in Vaughan-Whitehead, D. (ed.) Europe’s disappearing middle class. Evidence from the world of work, Cheltenham: Edward Elgae and Geneva: International Labor Office, pp. 1–52.
Vergopoulos, K. (1974) ‘Capitalisme difforme,’ in Amin, S. and Vergopoulos, K. (eds) La question paysanne et le capitalisme, Paris: Anthropos, pp. 63–294.
Wright, E.O. (1976) ‘Class boundaries in advanced capitalist societies,’ New Left Review, No. 98, pp.3–41.
Wright, E.O. (1987) Classes, London: Verso.
Wright, E.O. (1997) Class Counts: Comparative Studies in Class Analysis, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Althusser, L. (1976) ‘Ideologie et Appareils Ideologiques d’ Etat,’ in Positions, Paris: Editions Sociales, pp. 67–125.
Aronowitz, S. (2002) ‘How Class Works. Power and Social Movement,’ London: Yale University Press.
Atkinson, W., (2015) Class, Cambridge: Polity.
Balibar, E. (1985) Classes, in Labica, G and Bensussan, G. (eds) Dictionnaire Critique du Marxisme, Paris: PUF, pp. 170–179.
Bensaid, D., (1995) Marx l’intempestif, Paris: Fayard.
Berthoud, A. (1974). Travail productif et productivité du travail chez Marx, Paris: Maspero.
Bieler, A. and Erne, R. (2014), ‘Transnational Solidarity? The European Working Class in the Eurozone Crisis’, Socialist Register 2015, Vol. 51, pp. 157–177.
Bihr, A. (1989) Entre Bourgeoisie et Prolétariat, Paris: L’ Harmattan.
Billiteri, T.J. (2009) ‘Middle-class squeeze: is more government aid needed?’ CQ Researcher Vol. 19 No. 9, pp. 243–262.
Bouvier-Ajam, M. and Mury, G. (1963) Les classes sociales en France, Paris: Editions Sociales.
Burbach, R. and Robinson, W. (1999) ‘The Fin De Siecle Debate: Globalization as Epochal Shift,’ Science & Society Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 10–39.
Carchedi, G. (1977) On the Economic Identification of Social Classes, London: Routledge.
Carter, B. (1986) Review of E.O. Wright’s Classes, Sociological Review Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 686–688.
Chibber, Vivek (2014) ‘Capitalism, class and universalism: Escaping the cul-de-sac of postcolonial theory’, in Panitch, L, Albo, G., Chibber, V. (eds) ‘Registering Class’, Socialist Register Vol. 50, pp. 63-79.
Christodoulou, D. (1995) ‘Where the Cypriot “miracle” has not reached,’ in Peristianis, N. and Tsangaras, G. (eds), Anatomy of a Transformation (in Greek), Nicosia: Intercollege Press, pp. 35–55.
Colliot-Thélène, C. (1975) ‘Contribution à une analyse des classes sociales.’ Critiques de l’ Economie Politique No. 21, pp. 93–126.
Croix de ste, G.E.M. (1984) ‘Class in Marx’s Conception of History, Ancient and Modern,’ New Left Review No. 146, pp. 94–111.
Dallinger, D. (2013) ‘The endangered middle class? A comparative analysis of the role played by income redistribution,’ Journal of European Social Policy Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 83–101.
Gramsci, A. (1972) The intellectuals (in Greek), Athens: Stochastis.
Johnson, T. (1977) ‘What is to be known?’ Economy and Society, Vol. 6, No. 2., pp. 194–233.
Lenin, V.I. (1977) A Great Beginning, Peking: Foreign Languages Press.
Lytras, A. (1993) Introduction to the theory of Greek social structure (in Greek), Athens: Livanis.
Malakos, T. (1991) ‘On “analytical Marxism” or why Marxists should be interested in analytical Marxism and critical of it.’ Theseis No. 36, pp. 51–74.
Martin, R. (2015) ‘What Has Become of the Professional Managerial Class?’ in Panitch, L. and Albo, G. (eds) ‘Transforming Classes,’ Socialist Register Vol. 51, pp. 250–269.
Meiksins, P. (1986) ‘Beyond the Boundary Question,’ New Left Review, No. 157, pp. 101–120.
Milios, G. (2002) ‘The question of the petit bourgeoisie. A single class or two discrete class aggregations?’ (in Greek), Theseis No. 81, pp. 59–80.
Nagels, J. (1974) Travail collectif et travail productif,’ Bruxelles: Editions de l’ Université de Bruxelles.
Palmer, B. (2014) ‘Reconsiderations of Class: Precariousness as Proletarianisation,’ in Panitch, L, Albo, G., Chibber, V. (eds) ‘Registering Class’, Socialist Register, Vol. 50, pp. 40–62.
Poulantzas, N. (1979) Classes in Contemporary Capitalism, London: Verso.
Radice, H. (2015) ‘Class Theory and Class Politics Today’, Socialist Register 2015, pp. 270–292.
Resnick, S. and Wolff, R.D. (1982) ‘Classes in Marxian Theory,’ The Review of Radical Political Economics, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 1–18.
Resnick, S. and Wolff, R.D. (1986) ‘Power, Property and Class,’ Socialist Review, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 97–124.
Robinson, W. (2001) ‘Social Theory and globalization: The rise of a transnational state,’ Theory and Society Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 157–200.
Robinson, W. (2001/2002), ‘Global Capitalism and Nation-State-Centric Thinking – What We Don’t See When We Do See Nation-States: Response to Critics,’ Science & Society, Vol. 65, No. 4, pp. 500–508.
Robinson, W. (2012) ‘“The Great Recession” of 2008 and the Continuing Crisis: A Global Capitalism Perspective’, International Review of Modern Sociology, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 169–198.
Robinson, W. and Harris, J. (2000) ‘Towards a Global Ruling Class: Globalization and the Transnational Capitalist Class,’ Science and Society, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 11–54.
Sakellaropoulos, S. (2001) Greece after the Dictatorship (in Greek), Athens: Livanis.
Sakellaropoulos, S. (2002) ‘Revisiting the Social and Political Theory of Social Class,’ Rethinking Marxism, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 110–133.
Sakellaropoulos, S. (2014) ‘Crisis and Social stratification in 21st century Greece’ (in Greek), Athens: Topos.
Vaughan-Whitehead D., Vazquez-Alvarez, R. and Maitre, N. (2016) ‘Is the world of work behind the middle-class erosion?’ in Vaughan-Whitehead, D. (ed.) Europe’s disappearing middle class. Evidence from the world of work, Cheltenham: Edward Elgae and Geneva: International Labor Office, pp. 1–52.
Vergopoulos, K. (1974) ‘Capitalisme difforme,’ in Amin, S. and Vergopoulos, K. (eds) La question paysanne et le capitalisme, Paris: Anthropos, pp. 63–294.
Wright, E.O. (1976) ‘Class boundaries in advanced capitalist societies,’ New Left Review, No. 98, pp.3–41.
Wright, E.O. (1987) Classes, London: Verso.
Wright, E.O. (1997) Class Counts: Comparative Studies in Class Analysis, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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“The Class Structure of Society in the Republic of Cyprus”. 2018. Cyprus Review 29 (1): 159-82. https://cyprusreview.org/index.php/cr/article/view/384.