Certainly, the negative character of exclusion and inequality pertinent to capitalism cannot be denied or disregarded, however, although its logic has perversity aspects, it is also undeniable that, contradictorily, the social ascent is possible, although not always for everyone. Social inequality, the result of poor income distribution, is proof that capitalism has brought new problems social groups that did not previously exist (just think about the problems of the urban and industrialized environment, such as violence and unemployment). However, unlike the logic of status, in a class society, social ascension through schooling and work becomes something possible. Thus, ascension is linked to the idea of growth on a social scale, of transition to a class in which conditions and quality of life are better than the previous one.
However, the ascension is not just the merit of those who reach. As a social phenomenon, it depends on a series of factors and circumstances external to the individual, linked to the historical context, the scope of the economy, politics, governments, capacity technical-scientific. In other words, the social ascension process depends on a range of elements that, when establishing between them a very complex relationship, they may or may not favor the constitution of conditions for mobility Social. Thus, this would explain the concern of governments in relation to issues related to income, bank credit for workers, employment, the level of education, access to services, people's ability to purchase durable goods, among other aspects that indicate or enable the improvement of quality of life.
Therefore, social ascension is a social phenomenon that takes place in society and is always sought after by the working classes, which, although not commoners as they once existed in that Europe of the Middle Ages, they are also among those who suffer most, pay taxes and lead a life of deprivation and limitations. Although there are discussions about this, Brazilian society at the beginning of the 10's of the 21st century is undergoing a considerable transformation, as the increased purchasing power (as well as increased access to services and products, higher education, and other aspects) is a good indicator of this rise.
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According to data from the Secretariat for Strategic Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic (SAE), it can be stated that, in the last decade, more than 39 millions of people have entered the middle class, which means that, with this rise, Brazil now has more than half of the population included in this class.
On the other hand, unfortunately Brazil has still not lost one of its most negative peculiarities that exist throughout its history: the country's blemish of contradictions and inequalities. Just consider the existence of more than 16 million Brazilians who are still in poverty, having to survive on a monthly per capita income of R$ 70.00 reais.
This means that there are still people dreaming of what has been briefly defined here as social ascension, but that have not yet been contemplated even with all the social programs and policies existing in the last decades. Therefore, it is expected that, in our future, poverty and misery will be things of the past and that social ascension will be consummated in the lives of those who are hungry today.
Paulo Silvino Ribeiro
Brazil School Collaborator
Bachelor in Social Sciences from UNICAMP - State University of Campinas
Master in Sociology from UNESP - São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"
Doctoral Student in Sociology at UNICAMP - State University of Campinas
