Bourdieu, Pierre

Pierre Bourdieu was a French sociologist known for his ideas on the relationship between culture, social structures, and power. He introduced concepts like "habitus," which refers to the ingrained habits and dispositions individuals develop based on their backgrounds, and "capital," which includes economic, cultural, social, and symbolic resources that influence one’s social position. Bourdieu's work highlights how these factors shape individuals' opportunities and social interactions, emphasizing that social inequality is maintained through cultural practices as much as economic means. His insights are pivotal in understanding how society functions and how power dynamics operate within it.