hogereklasse

Hogereklasse is a Dutch term used in sociology and related fields to denote the socio-economic upper segment of society. It typically refers to a group characterized by high income, high educational attainment, and influential or prestigious occupations. Members are often professionals, managers, business owners, academics, and professionals in fields such as law, medicine, and engineering. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with bourgeoisie or elite, depending on the historical period and theoretical framework.

The word combines hogere (higher) and klasse (class). In historic Dutch discourse, the concept has been linked to the rising bourgeoisie and, in earlier periods, to traditional aristocracy. In contemporary usage, the term is less fixed and may be replaced or complemented by more specific measures such as high socioeconomic status (SES), often operationalized through education, income, and occupation.

Measurement and scope: Researchers typically identify the hogereklasse through a combination of indicators—high income, tertiary education, and occupations with high prestige or authority. Cultural capital, social networks, and consumption patterns also play a role in defining this group. Boundaries with the middenklasse (middle class) and lagere klasse (lower class) are context-dependent and can vary by country, era, and data source.

Criticism and nuance: The category is inherently broad and can mask diversity within the group, including regional differences, gender and ethnicity dynamics, and life-course variation. Some scholars advocate for more nuanced or intersectional approaches rather than treating the hogereklasse as a single homogeneous entity.