The Politics of Status, Symbols, and Inequality
Course Description
Status is everywhere. But what is status and what role does it play in politics? As dynamics of populism, ethno-nationalism, and authoritarianism spread across the world, questions regarding status continue to become more important. Materialist or economic, as well as cultural and identity explanations, for these patterns and durable challenges in the politics of inequality often do not suffice — and status is arguably a key missing piece of these explanations.
Defined as a collectively determined rank of social value, status is a powerful motivator for both individual and social action and uses symbols as its currency to confer rank and meaning. In this seminar, students will examine questions like: what are the links between status, politics, and inequality? What is the relationship between symbolic politics and status? How does status relate to and how is it different from, for example, prejudice, resentment, culture, identity, social norms, and economic class? Why and in what ways do people contest status and how can the political allocation of status change?
Through this seminar, students can expect to develop a deeper understanding of this integral and widely present — and yet under-theorized — concept in politics and leave with an ability to critically reason and analyze, e.g., different cases of cultural, moral, and identity conflict through the lens of status. We will apply an interdisciplinary approach, with readings drawn from political theory, sociology, psychology, political science, economics, and the arts.
Meet the Instructor: Roxanne Rahnama
“Hi, I'm Roxanne, a Lecturer and Fellow in the Political Science Department at Stanford. My research explores status, symbolic politics, and how narratives can shape power and hierarchy. I focus on what happens when dominant-group symbols — like Confederate monuments — are removed or challenged. How do these changes influence racial attitudes, behavior, and perceptions of social norms? Do they advance or divert attention from material racial justice reforms? I also study what conditions drive elites to turn to myths, historical narratives, and symbols to reinforce hierarchy and status — and what happens when those narratives are contested.
“My interest in these questions grew from a broader fascination with how history, identity, and politics intersect in everyday life. Symbols aren't just aesthetic and expand well beyond tangible structures; they influence what — and who — feels a sense of legitimacy, esteem, and honor in society. I'm excited to explore these dynamics with you, connecting theory to real-world events and learning from your perspectives.”
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