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Bourdieu's concept "Capital" explained by Kalyani Vallath

Who is Pierre Bourdieu?
Bourdieu (1930-2002) was one of the most influential sociologists of the 20th century. He was French; he taught in Algeria during the French colonial rule, and during the Algerian War, he did an ethnographic study of the Kabyle people, the largest native community in Algeria. Ethnography forms the basis of all his theoretical postulations.

Courtesy: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pierre-Bourdieu


Let's first talk about the concept of Capital.
Capital is the money or any resource that gets you a higher social position. And, Capital is the major reason for social inequality.

Bourdieu talks about two kinds of Capital: Social Capital (WHO you know) and Cultural Capital (WHAT you know and what you have).

Cultural Capital can be of three types:

  • Embodied (qualities of the mind and the body, that is, skills, accent, artistic taste, etc)
  • Objectified (material belongings such as cars)
  • Institutionalised (symbols of authority and cultural competence such as University degrees)

How is Cultural Capital linked to social class and power?
Some accents or clothes are associated with money, power and influence. Sometimes the appearance of poverty is associated with heroism or virtue. The title 'Dr' in front of your name denotes a higher social position and influence. Belonging to the alumni of a prestigious school gives you greater social standing.

Social Capital refers to the social network we belong to that is built through social relationships. When you are the alumnus of a prestigious school, you have both Cultural Capital and Social Capital, because then you have better skills (apparently) and also good contacts.

We either create social relationships through exchange of services or gifts, or inherit social relationships. We share social capital with groups (as in political groups or professional groups or religious groups) and it is then called Collective Capital. Collective Capital makes you more powerful.

Here ends the discussion on Cultural Studies Term 2.
Please do visit my website for more.

 Bourdieu's concepts of Field and Habitus will be discussed in a separate Blog.
This is an initiative of TES Education.
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Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 17, 2019 at 5:08 AM

    Very well explained. Bourdieu explains unequal achievement with the help of this theory. Merit and ability according to me depends on the social and cultural capital.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MsNovember 17, 2019 at 5:57 AM

    Thank you mam for this blog.. really helpful & informative🥰

    ReplyDelete
  3. RevansidhNovember 17, 2019 at 6:01 AM

    Concept cleared

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 17, 2019 at 6:08 AM

    Hey... Thanks maamm

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownNovember 17, 2019 at 6:34 AM

    Thank you ma'am. It is very precise as well as effective.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kalyani VallathNovember 17, 2019 at 6:51 AM

    Thank you all. Your encouragement helps me learn more and write more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Aswathy G BabuNovember 17, 2019 at 7:19 AM

    Thank you so much Ma'am. It's quite precise and concise

    ReplyDelete
  8. NirupamaNovember 17, 2019 at 8:06 AM

    Thank you for this! Explained in a very clear and simple way.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Vishnu S PNovember 17, 2019 at 9:06 AM

    Thank you ma'am.. 😊

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownNovember 17, 2019 at 10:04 AM

    Thank you Ma'am 😊

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownNovember 17, 2019 at 10:05 AM

    Very fine analysis, thank you ma'am.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ThoughtsNovember 17, 2019 at 10:30 AM

    Thank you so much ma'am

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kalyani VallathNovember 17, 2019 at 8:13 PM

    I'm glad you all liked it! Yayyyyy💃

    ReplyDelete
  14. Minimol JimmichenNovember 17, 2019 at 8:26 PM

    Thank you ma'am. This is simple and clear

    ReplyDelete
  15. DevyaniNovember 18, 2019 at 7:58 AM

    Thank you ma'am. Your way of teaching makes learning very easy.

    ReplyDelete
  16. DevyaniNovember 18, 2019 at 7:58 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. RijoolaNovember 23, 2019 at 10:57 AM

    Awesmmm ❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete

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