Pierre Bourdieu's work in the field of Cultural Studies has long been considered an important reference point for anyone wishing to explore the world of fan culture. The Marxist perspective that Bourdieu employed in his writing meant that he considered the dynamics of culture by looking at the class system and also by thinking in economic terms. Marxism emphasises that differences of class and wealth determine the values and beliefs that people hold and these were two main factors Bourdieu used when examining the behaviour of individuals within society. He compared the types of skills and knowledge that people acquire throughout their life to the assets (or capital) owned by business enterprises. Matt Hills (2002) explores Bourdieu's work in the world of fan culture and notes that he divides he types of 'capital' that people are able to gain in a variety of different ways. Hills explains this using the definitions given by Gershuny:
             "[the behaviour] of the individual is determined by the nature and location of their 'human capital' ... perhaps economic ... or perhaps 'social capital' (i.e. a personal network of friends and acquaintances), or 'cultural capital' (the general information about cultural artefacts absorbed as a by-product of daily life), or else 'educational capital' acquired through schooling." (cited in Hills 2002: 46-47)
             From this, Bourdieu draws a correlation between the individual's standing in the class system and their relevant levels of cultural capital. He divides society into four different classes: the dominant bourgeoisie, the dominated bourgeoisie, the petit bourgeois and the working class. Starting at the top, Bourdieu asserts that the dominant bourgeoisie have high amounts of cultural capital as well as educational and social capital. The dominated bourgeoisie, whilst not quite so well off financially, would argue that they a...