Klassista

Klassista is a Swedish term used to describe attitudes, policies, or behaviors that discriminate on the basis of social class. A person who holds such views is often referred to as a klassist, and the corresponding social phenomenon is classism. The term is used in sociological, political, and media discourse to analyze how class background can influence access to education, housing, employment, cultural opportunities, and social prestige.

Etymology and use: klassista is formed from the word klass (class) with a suffix similar to other -ist terms. It aligns with the broader concept of classism, recognized in many languages as prejudice or discrimination stemming from social hierarchy. In Swedish discussions, klassism is frequently connected to debates about equality, mobility, and the distribution of cultural capital.

Manifestations: klassist attitudes can be overt or subtle, including stereotypes about work ethic, intelligence, or taste tied to a person’s socioeconomic background. They may appear in language, media representations, recruitment practices, or housing and education policies that favor higher-status groups. Critics argue that classist norms contribute to social exclusion and limit opportunities for people from lower-income or working-class backgrounds.

Intersections: klassism intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as racism or sexism, and with structures that reproduce inequality. It is a focus of debates on social mobility, cultural capital, and the legitimacy of different forms of knowledge and tastes.

See also: class, classism, social inequality, cultural capital, habitus, elitism.