ABSTRACT

There is hardly any discussion of class that does not in some way relate to the theories of Marx and Weber. So profound was the impact of their ideas, that their writings are often perceived as the only original and  most reliable interpretations of class society. But Marx and Weber were neither the first, nor last, to talk about class and they did so based on the specific conditions prevalent in their own communities. ‘Class’ explains this complex field using cultural, sociological and feminist perspectives. It deepens our understanding of the problems of class and uses illuminating examples from media, popular culture and literature that explain current class analysis. ‘Class’ is an ‘elegant, lucid comprehensive introduction’ that broadens our understanding of the concept and the immense power that it exerts by way of in- and exclusions.

chapter 1|20 pages

Introduction

Class—why and how?

chapter 2|51 pages

Construction

The grand narrative of class

chapter 3|18 pages

Deconstruction

The class narrative dismantled

chapter 4|26 pages

Reconstruction

New narratives about class

chapter 5|10 pages

Conclusions

Class analysis, past and future