Cultures of Solidarity : Consciousness, Action, and Contemporary American Workers

A commonplace assumption about American workers is that they lack class consciousness. This perception has baffled social scientists, demoralized activists, and generated a significant literature on American exceptionalism. In this provocative book, a young sociologist takes the prevailing assumptions to task and sheds new light upon this very important issue. In three vivid case studies Fantasia explores the complicated, multi-faceted dynamics of American working-class consciousness and collective action. Contents Preface Part One: Theoretical Directions and the Historical Terrain Part Two: Contemporary Expressions of Consciousness and Action Appendix. The Measures Taken: Some Notes on Methodology Notes Bibliography Index