Oxford Readers

In recent years, the concept of class has come under increasing scrutiny, as a means of explaining both the present and the past. Economic and social change, together with profound changes in intellectual outlook have called into question the utility of the class concept. Furthermore, feminism has led us to reconsider the whole notion of class identity. Can class viably explain the present? Did it ever provide an adequate explanation of the past? How did concepts of class develop? What is the language of class? A variety of writings are drawn upon here to suggest answers to these questions, to provide a balanced survey of thought on class, from Marx and Weber to the postmodern thought of the present day, and to look beyond this towards the very future of the idea of class.

In recent years, the concept of class has come under increasing scrutiny, as a means of explaining both the present and the past. The post-industrial class has superseded the manual working class, and new forms of industrial management have broken up more traditional hierarchies and outlooks. Furthermore, feminism has now brought into question the whole concept of a class identity. Can class explain the present? Did it ever provide an adequate explanation of the past? How did concepts of class develop? What is the language of class? A variety of writings are drawn upon here to suggest answers to these questions, to provide a balanced survey of thought on class, from Marx and Weber to the present day, and to look beyond this towards the very future of class. The scope of the book is remarkable, featuring contributions by E.P. Thompson, Richard Hoggart, Jean Baudrillard, Rosemary Crompton, Howard Newby, Ellen Meiksins Wood, Michel Foucault, Zygmunt Bauman, Alain Touraine, Donna Haraway, John B. Thompson, Anthony Giddins, Cornelius Castoriadis, Gareth Stedman Jones, Joan W. Scott, Ira Katznelson, William H. Sewell, Jr., Martin J. Weiner, and many others.