Sautu, Maria A.R
(1968)
Social stratification and economic development in the Argentine, between 1914 and 1955.
PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Abstract
In this thesis we discuss stratification in Argentina in relation to the process of economic development, divided into two stages, before the World Crisis and between 1929 and 1955. In chapter one we try to make explicit some basic definitions and discuss some of the reasons that justify the selection of our subject and its orientation. In each of the following three chapters we try to isolate those peculiar features of the process of economic development in Argentina which have affected the formation and further evolution of stratified groups, namely, economic, occupational and of status. We define an "economic group" as the set of units of production engaged in a certain economic activity: this activity and the Interests attached to it are what defines a group, not its individual members. Here we discuss the formation of economic groups within specific activities. We conclude that whereas agricultural development favoured the formation of a powerful group, (estancieros), the peculiar course of industrial development obstructed the formation of powerful groups except in a few activities; in the majority of cases these activities belonged either to foodstuffs production or were branches where foreign capital had been invested. "Occupational groups" are defined in terms of role within the economic unit and of the branch of activity to which the unit belongs. Here we try to relate changes in the economic structure to the disappearance of old groups as well as the formation of new ones. Furthermore, we focus our attention on the impact of development on the distribution of income among different occupational groups. The first stage of development is characterized by the formation of middle strata as well as a high rate of occupational mobility. During the second stage occupational mobility continued to be high, particularly for people already located in the middle strata. The most remarkable feature of this stage was the growth of white collar and urban workers. Finally we discuss status groups which are defined as circles of people who share a style of life and because of this a given prestige. We point out how rapid occupational mobility and changes in the material aspects of styles of life have worked against the survival of status groups.
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