Capitalist System: Elias And Scotson

While Elias and Scotson (1994) focus on the unequal distribution of power as the main origin for discrimination, stigmatisation and the humiliation coming with it, Castles and Kosack are convinced that the capitalist system is the push factor for perception. The demand for low-paid workers grew with the aim for economic success and prosperity. The industrialization of the 18th century brought with it many changes to not only economic and political issues but also social class hierarchy (Spielvogel, 2011, p. ). The mass production of goods demanded a large amount of workers at a low salary. Often, industrial employees had to work under severe working conditions and lived in poverty. Nevertheless, these people were a key factor in the capitalist

By introducing the so-called industrial reserve army as well as the labour aristocracy, the authors explain the basic mechanisms of a capitalist system. While the industrial reserve army represents the “surplus working population” (Castles & Kosack, 2009 [1972], p. 22) used as a kind of cheap employee source, the labour aristocracy is the key player for capitalists when it comes to the exploitation of the working class. The latter, “who by virtue of their training could not be readily replaced by members of the industrial reserve army” (Castles & Kosack, 2009 [1972], p. 22) had a guaranteed, privileged position within its social class. Therefore, they would not let the weaker industrial reserve army revolutionize against the system since this would endanger their advantaged situation. This shows that capitalists successfully spread a split within a lower positioned class to the advantage of themselves. As long as the labour aristocracy would discriminate and weaken the industrial reserve army, capitalists would be able to not only use them as cheap workers but would also keep their fortunate position at the top of the hierarchy (Castles & Kosack, 2009 [1972],

The xenophobia went as far as to the formation of a political party that was only formed to exclude South-Italian migrants. The party was colloquially named “Anti-Italian Party” (SF, 1963). Until now, migrants do neither possess the right to vote nor any chance whatsoever to participate in the nation’s political debates unless, they get access to the Swiss nationality. As important as they might be for the economic system to be prosperous, it was obvious to the citizens that those strangers should not have any rights other than the prescribed human rights. Looking at migration from this point of view it becomes more understandable to me, why established groups do exclude foreigners. Unfortunately, such behaviour only originates from the fear of losing one’s own status in society. Insiders are indeed happy not to have to do the unpopular jobs now occupied by migrants but do not want to give them a voice for their