Easy Sociology
  • Sociology Hub
    • Sociology Questions & Answers
    • Sociology Dictionary
    • Books, Journals, Papers
    • Guides & How To’s
    • Life Around The World
    • Research Methods
    • Sociological Perspectives
      • Feminism
      • Functionalism
      • Marxism
      • Postmodernism
      • Social Constructionism
      • Structuralism
      • Symbolic Interactionism
    • Sociology Theorists
  • Sociologies
    • General Sociology
    • Social Policy
    • Social Work
    • Sociology of Childhood
    • Sociology of Crime & Deviance
    • Sociology of Culture
      • Sociology of Art
      • Sociology of Dance
      • Sociology of Food
      • Sociology of Sport
    • Sociology of Disability
    • Sociology of Economics
    • Sociology of Education
    • Sociology of Emotion
    • Sociology of Family & Relationships
    • Sociology of Gender
    • Sociology of Health
    • Sociology of Identity
    • Sociology of Ideology
    • Sociology of Inequalities
    • Sociology of Knowledge
    • Sociology of Language
    • Sociology of Law
    • Sociology of Media
      • Sociology of Anime
      • Sociology of Film
      • Sociology of Gaming
      • Sociology of Literature
      • Sociology of Music
      • Sociology of TV
    • Sociology of Migration
    • Sociology of Nature & Environment
    • Sociology of Politics
    • Sociology of Power
    • Sociology of Race & Ethnicity
    • Sociology of Religion
    • Sociology of Sexuality
    • Sociology of Social Movements
    • Sociology of Technology
    • Sociology of the Life Course
    • Sociology of Travel & Tourism
    • Sociology of Violence & Conflict
    • Sociology of Work
    • Urban Sociology
  • A-Level Sociology
    • Families
      • Changing Relationships Within Families
      • Conjugal Role Relationships
      • Criticisms of Families
      • Divorce
      • Family Forms
      • Functions of the Family
  • Featured Articles
  • About
    • Site News
    • Newsletter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Contact Us
  • Log In
  • Join Now
No Result
View All Result
Easy Sociology
  • Sociology Hub
    • Sociology Questions & Answers
    • Sociology Dictionary
    • Books, Journals, Papers
    • Guides & How To’s
    • Life Around The World
    • Research Methods
    • Sociological Perspectives
      • Feminism
      • Functionalism
      • Marxism
      • Postmodernism
      • Social Constructionism
      • Structuralism
      • Symbolic Interactionism
    • Sociology Theorists
  • Sociologies
    • General Sociology
    • Social Policy
    • Social Work
    • Sociology of Childhood
    • Sociology of Crime & Deviance
    • Sociology of Culture
      • Sociology of Art
      • Sociology of Dance
      • Sociology of Food
      • Sociology of Sport
    • Sociology of Disability
    • Sociology of Economics
    • Sociology of Education
    • Sociology of Emotion
    • Sociology of Family & Relationships
    • Sociology of Gender
    • Sociology of Health
    • Sociology of Identity
    • Sociology of Ideology
    • Sociology of Inequalities
    • Sociology of Knowledge
    • Sociology of Language
    • Sociology of Law
    • Sociology of Media
      • Sociology of Anime
      • Sociology of Film
      • Sociology of Gaming
      • Sociology of Literature
      • Sociology of Music
      • Sociology of TV
    • Sociology of Migration
    • Sociology of Nature & Environment
    • Sociology of Politics
    • Sociology of Power
    • Sociology of Race & Ethnicity
    • Sociology of Religion
    • Sociology of Sexuality
    • Sociology of Social Movements
    • Sociology of Technology
    • Sociology of the Life Course
    • Sociology of Travel & Tourism
    • Sociology of Violence & Conflict
    • Sociology of Work
    • Urban Sociology
  • A-Level Sociology
    • Families
      • Changing Relationships Within Families
      • Conjugal Role Relationships
      • Criticisms of Families
      • Divorce
      • Family Forms
      • Functions of the Family
  • Featured Articles
  • About
    • Site News
    • Newsletter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Contact Us
  • Log In
  • Join Now
No Result
View All Result
Easy Sociology
No Result
View All Result

Pierre Bourdieu’s Economic Capital in Sociology

Easy Sociology by Easy Sociology
January 18, 2024 - Updated on June 25, 2024
in General Sociology
Home General Sociology
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on RedditShare on Telegram

Table of Contents

  • Defining Economic Capital
  • Characteristics of Economic Capital
  • The Role of Economic Capital in Social Stratification
  • Economic Capital and Other Forms of Capital
  • The Perpetuation of Inequality Through Economic Capital
  • Critiques and Limitations of Bourdieu’s Concept of Economic Capital
  • Conclusion

Pierre Bourdieu, a preeminent French sociologist, has profoundly influenced the field of sociology with his theoretical frameworks and concepts. Among his most significant contributions is the theory of forms of capital. Bourdieu’s notion of capital extends beyond the economic realm to include social, cultural, and symbolic forms. This article focuses on Bourdieu’s concept of economic capital, elaborating on its definition, characteristics, and implications within the broader sociological context. We will explore how economic capital interacts with other forms of capital and its role in perpetuating social inequality.

Defining Economic Capital

Economic capital, according to Bourdieu, refers to assets and resources that are directly convertible into money and may be institutionalized in the form of property rights. This form of capital encompasses material wealth such as cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, and other financial assets. Unlike social or cultural capital, economic capital is explicitly quantifiable and serves as the basis for other types of capital.

Economic capital is pivotal because it directly affects individuals’ life chances and opportunities. It provides the means for securing education, healthcare, and other services essential for maintaining and enhancing one’s social status. Consequently, economic capital is a crucial determinant of an individual’s position within the social hierarchy.

Characteristics of Economic Capital

Quantifiability

One of the distinguishing features of economic capital is its quantifiability. Unlike social or cultural capital, which can be abstract and difficult to measure, economic capital can be easily quantified in monetary terms. This quantifiability allows for straightforward comparisons between individuals and groups, highlighting disparities in wealth and income.

Convertibility

Economic capital possesses a high degree of convertibility. It can be transformed into other forms of capital, such as cultural capital (e.g., purchasing education or cultural experiences) and social capital (e.g., funding social events or networking opportunities). This convertibility underscores the interconnectedness of different forms of capital and the centrality of economic capital in facilitating access to various social advantages.

Accumulation and Inheritance

Economic capital can be accumulated over time and inherited across generations. This accumulation process contributes to the perpetuation of social inequalities, as wealth is often concentrated within certain families or social groups. Inherited economic capital provides a significant advantage to those born into wealthy families, enabling them to maintain and enhance their social status with relative ease.

The Role of Economic Capital in Social Stratification

Economic capital plays a critical role in shaping social stratification and inequality. Bourdieu argues that economic capital, along with other forms of capital, determines individuals’ positions within the social space. The distribution of economic capital influences access to resources, opportunities, and power, thereby reinforcing social hierarchies.

Educational Attainment

Economic capital significantly impacts educational attainment. Wealthy families can afford to send their children to prestigious schools, provide private tutoring, and facilitate extracurricular activities that enhance cultural capital. These educational advantages often translate into better job prospects and higher income levels, perpetuating the cycle of privilege.

Health and Well-being

Access to quality healthcare is another area where economic capital plays a crucial role. Individuals with substantial economic capital can afford private healthcare, better nutrition, and healthier living conditions. This access to superior healthcare and living standards contributes to longer life expectancy and improved overall well-being, further entrenching social inequalities.

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
Tags: Bourdieu forms of capitaleconomic capital inequalityeconomic capital sociologyPierre Bourdieu economic capitalsocial stratification and economic capital
Easy Sociology

Easy Sociology

Easy Sociology is your go-to resource for clear, accessible, and expert sociological insights. With a foundation built on advanced sociological expertise and a commitment to making complex concepts understandable, Easy Sociology offers high-quality content tailored for students, educators, and enthusiasts. Trusted by readers worldwide, Easy Sociology bridges the gap between academic research and everyday understanding, providing reliable resources for exploring the social world.

Related Articles

Abstract art resembling a droplet of water splashing into water.

Logical Universals: A Sociological View

December 31, 2024

In the realm of sociology, the concept of logical universals represents an intersection between philosophical reasoning and the analysis of...

black and white shot of an unidentifiable postmodernity building structure

The Role of Structure in Pierre Bourdieu’s Habitus

January 24, 2024 - Updated on October 27, 2024

Pierre Bourdieu is among the most influential sociologists in modern social theory, and his concept of "habitus" is central to...

Next Post
A manga black and whote image of an imaginary prime minister with the houses of parliament in the background

Using Sociology to Evaluate Rishi Sunak's Failure as Prime Minister

a coin jar tipped over - profit motive education

The Effect of the Profit Motive on the Education of Students

A person writing an exam in the exam driven nature of schooling

The Exam-Driven Nature of Schooling

Please login to join discussion

GET THE LATEST SOCIOLOGY

Get the latest sociology articles direct to you inbox with the Easy Sociology newsletter. (We don't spam or sell your email).

POLL

How Can We Improve Easy Sociology?

Recommended

the silhouette of a person behind bars in a jail cell

New Penology: An Overview

June 30, 2024
A bombed out high rise building

Causes of Economic Instability: An Overview in Sociology

February 9, 2024 - Updated on May 15, 2024

24 Hour Trending

  • An army helmet

    Understanding Conflict Theories in Sociology

    1650 shares
    Share 660 Tweet 413
  • Understanding Delinquency: Causes, Consequences, and Sociological Theories

    610 shares
    Share 244 Tweet 153
  • Understanding the Concept of Liquid Modernity in Sociology

    1239 shares
    Share 496 Tweet 310
  • The Agency vs Structure Debate

    285 shares
    Share 114 Tweet 71
  • What is Masculinity?

    473 shares
    Share 189 Tweet 118

Easy Sociology makes sociology as easy as possible. Our aim is to make sociology accessible for everybody.

© 2023 Easy Sociology

No Result
View All Result
  • Sociology Hub
    • Sociology Questions & Answers
    • Sociology Dictionary
    • Books, Journals, Papers
    • Guides & How To’s
    • Life Around The World
    • Research Methods
    • Sociological Perspectives
      • Feminism
      • Functionalism
      • Marxism
      • Postmodernism
      • Social Constructionism
      • Structuralism
      • Symbolic Interactionism
    • Sociology Theorists
  • Sociologies
    • General Sociology
    • Social Policy
    • Social Work
    • Sociology of Childhood
    • Sociology of Crime & Deviance
    • Sociology of Culture
      • Sociology of Art
      • Sociology of Dance
      • Sociology of Food
      • Sociology of Sport
    • Sociology of Disability
    • Sociology of Economics
    • Sociology of Education
    • Sociology of Emotion
    • Sociology of Family & Relationships
    • Sociology of Gender
    • Sociology of Health
    • Sociology of Identity
    • Sociology of Ideology
    • Sociology of Inequalities
    • Sociology of Knowledge
    • Sociology of Language
    • Sociology of Law
    • Sociology of Media
      • Sociology of Anime
      • Sociology of Film
      • Sociology of Gaming
      • Sociology of Literature
      • Sociology of Music
      • Sociology of TV
    • Sociology of Migration
    • Sociology of Nature & Environment
    • Sociology of Politics
    • Sociology of Power
    • Sociology of Race & Ethnicity
    • Sociology of Religion
    • Sociology of Sexuality
    • Sociology of Social Movements
    • Sociology of Technology
    • Sociology of the Life Course
    • Sociology of Travel & Tourism
    • Sociology of Violence & Conflict
    • Sociology of Work
    • Urban Sociology
  • A-Level Sociology
    • Families
      • Changing Relationships Within Families
      • Conjugal Role Relationships
      • Criticisms of Families
      • Divorce
      • Family Forms
      • Functions of the Family
  • Featured Articles
  • About
    • Site News
    • Newsletter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Contact Us
  • Log In
  • Join Now

© 2025 Easy Sociology

We use information collected through cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our site, analyse how you use it and for marketing purposes.
Privacy Policy

Your privacy settings

We and our partners use information collected through cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our site, analyse how you use it and for marketing purposes. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. In some cases, data obtained from cookies is shared with third parties for analytics or marketing reasons. You can exercise your right to opt-out of that sharing at any time by disabling cookies.
Privacy Policy
Allow all

Manage Consent Preferences

Necessary

Always ON
These cookies and scripts are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, suchas setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block oralert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do notstore any personally identifiable information.

Analytics

These cookies and scripts allow us to count visits and traffic sources, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies and scripts, we will not know when you have visited our site.

Embedded Videos

These cookies and scripts may be set through our site by external video hosting services likeYouTube or Vimeo. They may be used to deliver video content on our website. It’s possible for the video provider to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on this or other websites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies or scripts it is possible that embedded video will not function as expected.

Google Fonts

Google Fonts is a font embedding service library. Google Fonts are stored on Google's CDN. The Google Fonts API is designed to limit the collection, storage, and use of end-user data to only what is needed to serve fonts efficiently. Use of Google Fonts API is unauthenticated. No cookies are sent by website visitors to the Google Fonts API. Requests to the Google Fonts API are made to resource-specific domains, such as fonts.googleapis.com or fonts.gstatic.com. This means your font requests are separate from and don't contain any credentials you send to google.com while using other Google services that are authenticated, such as Gmail.

Marketing

These cookies and scripts may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies and scripts, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Confirm my choices Allow all
×