People with symbolic capital do not experience prestige in everyday life

Inequality and class division are subjects many scholars tackle. Inequality in Iceland has been considerably less than elsewhere in the world; most people have similar living standards, and class division is minimal. But is inequality only material? Are there forms of inequality in Iceland that are non-material? 

Jón Gunnar Bernburg and Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, professors of sociology at the University of Iceland, have studied whether individuals in a strong social position experience that their status brings them prestige or respect. Their findings show that Icelanders with power do not believe they are treated differently in everyday communications. 

Their research is based on the fundamental principles of the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's theory of social stratification. The main essence of the theory is that inequality in society is not limited to material things but also symbolic ones. 

Different kinds of capital

Jón Gunnar says that according to Bourdieu’s theory, economic capital (money, land, corporate holdings, etc.) gives power to people in society, but intangible capital also has an impact on their social status.  The capital can be cultural, whether individuals have acquired knowledge or adapted a lifestyle that is considered desirable. People can also have social capital reflected in their connections. 
Jón Gunnar and Sigrún, however, focus on the fourth type of capital, symbolic capital, or the prestige bestowed upon an individual through economic, cultural, or social capital. Bourdieu says that people have more respect for those who do. Symbolic capital is important as the prestige can carry power to individuals. This can lead to a broader audience and their points of view prevailing. Others listen more to those who are well educated or comport themselves in a way that is considered culturally desirable.

“Bourdieu's main point is that the consolidation of power is in part visible.  You can walk around the city and see how people live and who has economic capital. Everything else is, however, invisible: the cultural and symbolic forms of capital. Bourdieu says that because they are invisible they render prestige,” says Jón Gunnar. 

Examine whether Bourdieu’s theory applies in Iceland

Jón Gunnar and Sigrún’s study aims to find out whether Bourdieu’s theory applies in Icelandic society. They are studying whether people with economic, cultural and social capital also have symbolic capital and experience prestige. 

On one hand, they examine whether individuals experience prestige in the public sphere, such as in the media or politics. On the other hand, whether they experience prestige in everyday life, at the shops or the doctors. This is important because it may mean that those with capital control the discourse, both in the media and in everyday life. 

Research such as this one has never been conducted in Iceland, so the findings will be interesting to both academics and the Icelandic public. They are based on a questionnaire, sent out to a random sample, asking recipients about the capital they possess and their experience of prestige. 

Bourdieu's theory is highly relevant in Iceland when looking at prestige in the public sphere. Those who have prestige in politics and the media are those who are well off and in good jobs. Their voices seem to be heard in that field. They experience prestige because they are better educated, better connected and have more cultural capital. 

Wealth irrelevant in everyday life

However, wealth seems relatively irrelevant when studying quotidian communication in Icelandic society.  People do not experience prestige in everyday interactions with others. 

Jón Gunnar says that the principle of equality in everyday life in Iceland is powerful. “It may be because a strong principle of equality applies in these situations in our community. We are supposed to treat each other as equals. That is the norm. This does not apply as much in the media or politics. There is a different dynamic in the spotlight. The voices of those who have some type of capital are the loudest.

You could say that in everyday communication between people, everyone has a script. People know how to behave and what is appropriate in that context. Since there is a script, it could be a platform where capital can dominate, according to Jón Gunnar, but the data has shown that this is not the case in Iceland. 

Iceland is a conservative test of the theory

The research shows a certain form of inequality in Iceland. Jón Gunnar says that Icelanders tend to only look at material expressions of inequality,  but there are also immaterial forms of inequality. If correct, immaterial forms can contribute to material inequality in society. 

All concentration of wealth is much lower in Iceland than in many other places. Jón Gunnar notes that it can thus be said that Iceland serves as a conservative test of Bourdieu's theory. Discovering support for the theory here, where inequality or wealth concentration is lower, thereby strengthening the generalizability of the theory. 

Author of the article: Birta María Hallsteinsdóttir, student in Journalism.