Money, Morals, and Manners
Douban
The Culture of the French and the American Upper-Middle Class
Michele Lamont
Overview
Drawing on remarkably frank, in-depth interviews with 160 successful men in the United States and France, Michè le Lamont provides a rare and revealing collective portrait of the upper-middle class--the managers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and experts at the center of power in society. Her book is a subtle, textured description of how these men define the values and attitudes they consider essential in separating themselves--and their class--from everyone else. "Money, Morals, and Manners" is an ambitious and sophisticated attempt to illuminate the nature of social class in modern society. For all those who downplay the importance of unequal social groups, it will be a revelation.
contents
Tables and Maps
Acknowledgments
Note to the Reader
Prologue: Sketching the Landscape: Some Illustrative Vignettes
Ch. 1: The Questions and the Stage
Ch. 2: The Importance of Being Honest: Keys to Moral Boundaries
Ch. 3: The World of Success, Money, and Power: Keys to Socioeconomic Boundaries
Ch. 4: Most of My Friends Are Refined: Keys to Cultural Boundaries
Ch. 5: Explaining National Differences
Ch. 6: The Nature of Internal Class Boundaries
Ch. 7: Implications, Contributions, and Unanswered Questions
Appendix I: Surveying the French and American Upper-Middle Classes
Appendix II: The Research Sites
Appendix III: Research Procedures
Appendix IV: Ranking of Respondents on the Cultural, Moral, and Socioeconomic Dimensions
Notes
Bibliography
Index
