CLASS and Politics Among Young People in South and EAST Mediterranean Countries* *This Paper Has Been Prepared within the Research Project FP7-Ssh-2013-2 Sahwa: Empowering the Young Generation; Towards a New Social Contract in South and East Mediterranean

This paper is based on the results of interview surveys during 2015 with nationally representative samples of approximately 2000 15-29 year olds in each of five south and East Mediterranean countries – Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. The analysis uses several indicators of the young people’s class locations – mothers’ and fathers’ education and occupations, respondents’ education and labour market careers. It examines the associations between these class indicators, and also the independent and mediating role of religion, and the respondents’ political activities and orientations during and since the events of 2011 (widely known as the Arab Spring).