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Using hierarchal linear models fitted to survey data from the 1999 and 2009 International Social Survey Program Social Inequality module, this article examines how social mobility shapes class identification in 33 societies. My concern is with how social mobility-both at the individual level and the country level-affects class identification. The findings demonstrate that both one's own social class and their class origin influence class identification. On the other hand, national-level absolute mobility does not meaningfully shape class identification. This finding implies that people either consider only their own economic conditions-i.e. they care little about the conditions in which others live-or they are unaware of actual levels of mobility within their country. Finally, I build on previous research by demonstrating the importance of national-level income inequality. As income inequality rises, middle-class identities become weaker-regardless of one's social class position-because the adverse effects of inequality are felt more acutely across the class structure.

It is widely accepted that people tend to identify with the middle classes regardless of their social class position. Nevertheless, this “middle class identity bias” is not equally prominent in all western democracies. The goal of this article is to assess the role of political and economic conditions in shaping this phenomenon. By exploring the relationship between class identity and national context in 15 modern societies, I address two main questions: (1) how individual‐level income affects where people place themselves in the class system, and (2) how national political and economic context affects this relationship. In doing so, I offer several important findings. First, although there is a positive relationship between income and class identification in all 15 societies, middle class identification is weakest when income inequality is high. Consistent with previous findings, the results suggest that economic development has a positive impact on class identity. The results also uncover a role for political ideology by suggesting a lingering affect of Communist rule. Even after controlling for economic development and income inequality, respondents in former Communist countries are more likely than others to identify as belonging to a low social class.

Using data from the World Values Survey and national-level indicators for 24 modern democracies, we assess the influence of social class and economic inequality on preferences for government responsibility. We improve on previous research by using multilevel models that account for differences in attitudes both within (i.e., over time) and across countries. Our findings are consistent with the economic self-interest hypothesis. Specifically, working class individuals, who tend to gain the most from government intervention because of their low and often more precarious economic position, are more likely than others to support government intervention. We also find a positive relationship between national-level income inequality and support for government intervention. As income inequality rises, its social ills tend to be more pervasive, resulting in public opinion becoming more supportive of governments taking responsibility for their citizens. We further demonstrate that inequality moderates the relationship between social class and attitudes. Although the effect of income inequality is positive for all social classes, attitudes across social classes become more similar as inequality rises.