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Class schema according to Oesch

Class schema according to Oesch

The class schema developed by Oesch (2006) represents an expansion on traditional class models, such as the EGP, which have been criticised for their strong emphasis on industrial societies and their lack of consideration for changes in social structure. The objective of constructing the class schema according to Oesch (2006) was to more adequately reflect both vertical and horizontal inequalities, thereby ensuring that disparities within the middle class become more apparent and possible political lines of conflict in association with class affiliations can be delineated. The class schema according to Oesch (2006) is constructed in two dimensions, incorporating both vertical class differences, such as autonomy through leadership responsibility and control over means of production through self-employment versus dependent employment, and horizontal differences in work logic, including occupations.

Origin/Creator: Daniel Oesch
Method/Structure: Information frequently contained in standardised surveys of employed persons is used to operationalise the vertical and horizontal dimensions of Oesch's class schema. The ISCO s utilised for the delineation of horizontal class differences. For vertical class differences, information on employment status (self-employment vs. dependent employment), company size and management responsibility is used. The following categories are formed from the combination of this information:

1. Large employers
2. Self-employed professionals
3. Small business owners with employees
4. Small business owners without employees
5. Technical experts
6. Technicians
7. Skilled manual
8. Low-skilled manual
9. Higher-grade managers and administrators
10. Lower-grade managers and administrators
11. Skilled clerks
12. Unskilled clerks
13. Socio-cultural professionals
14. Socio-cultural semi-professionals
15. Skilled service
16. Low-skilled service
Development/implementation for Germany: In the context of German implementation, the KldB is typically converted into ISCO initially, thereby establishing the class model according to Oesch.

Related classifications:

International Standard Classification of Occupations 2008 (ISCO-08)

Keywords

socio-economic classification, market situation, labour situation, class situation

Class schema according to Oesch

Fundamental literature: Oesch, Daniel (2006): Redrawing the class map. Stratification and institutions in Britain, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Oesch, Daniel (2013): Occupational change in Europe. How technology and education transform the job structure. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.
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Further literature: Ares, Macarena (2022): Issue politicization and social class: How the electoral supply activates class divides in political preferences. European Journal of Political Research 61:503–523.

Oesch, Daniel, und Jorges Rodriguez Menes (2011) Upgrading or polarization? Occupational change in Britain, Germany, Spain and Switzerland, 1990-2008. Socio-Economic Review 9:503–531.

Oesch, Daniel, und Line Rennwald (2018): Electoral competition in Europe's new tripolar political space: Class voting for the left, centre‐right and radical right. European Journal of Political Research 57:783–807.

Class schema according to Oesch

BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey 2024

BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey Campus-File 2024