Race, Class and Power : Harold Wolpe and the Radical Critique of Apartheid

Over four decades ago, radical scholars began to suggest a new way of looking at South African society - one that blamed the economic power of those who owned property for the racial bondage of the black majority. Their work, and the debates it triggered, are mostly forgotten, but they and their critics have much to say that sheds lights on today's South African realities. Harold Wolpe was arguably the most influential theorist of this generation. His writings played a major role in a revolution in thought, and his celebrated escape from prison in the 1960s made him a symbol of alternative action. Race, Class and Power clearly and insightfully examines Wolpe's work in the political, intellectual, and social contexts in which it was developed and to which it gave form. Drawing on interviews with those who Wolpe worked with, disagreed with, and inspired, the book also maps his influence on ideas and the culture that emerged in anti-apartheid circles in the 1970s. Harold Wolpe's writings are a prism through which South African society can be viewed, and this book is an intellectual biography both of Wolpe and of South Africa's left. It also assesses and engages with the ongoing impact of Wolpe's ideas into the post-apartheid present. Moreover, it suggests how Wolpe's work can move us towards a way of thinking about and acting upon South Africa's realities differently. \*\* "This book is a significant and provocative intervention in three discussions, namely the evolution of the analysis of South African society and its history; the role of intellectuals and social theory in the liberation struggle; and the place and content of social analysis in developing political strategy, and particularly in elaborating alternatives to the sterile policies of the ANC government. I strongly and forcefully recommend this book." -- Professor Dan O'Meara, U. of Quebec \*\*\* "...Friedman's excellent, compassionate, and fair exegesis of Wolpe's thought and its major contribution resurrects a major, often overlooked part of the South African struggle. Highly recommended." - Choice, Vol. 53, No. 1, September 2015 [Subject: History, African Studies, Apartheid Studies, Politics, Biography] Over four decades ago, radical scholars began to suggest a new way of looking at South African society - one that blamed the economic power of those who owned property for the racial bondage of the black majority. Their work, and the debates it triggered, are mostly forgotten, but they and their critics have much to say that sheds lights on today's South African realities. Harold Wolpe was arguably the most influential theorist of this generation. His writings played a major role in a revolution in thought, and his celebrated escape from prison in the 1960s made him a symbol of alternative action. Race, Class and Power clearly and insightfully examines Wolpe's work in the political, intellectual, and social contexts in which it was developed and to which it gave form. Drawing on interviews with those who Wolpe worked with, disagreed with, and inspired, the book also maps his influence on ideas and the culture that emerged in anti-apartheid circles in the 1970s. Harold Wolpe's writings are a prism through which South African society can be viewed, and this book is an intellectual biography both of Wolpe and of South Africa's left. It also assesses and engages with the ongoing impact of Wolpe's ideas into the post-apartheid present. Moreover, it suggests how Wolpe's work can move us towards a way of thinking about and acting upon South Africa's realities differently. -- Amazon.com Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 INTRODUCTION 10 CHAPTER 1 The man and the movement: Harold Wolpe and the fight against apartheid 36 CHAPTER 2 Class struggle in the classroom: Wolpe and the battle of ideas 55 CHAPTER 3 Voice in the wilderness? Harold Wolpe, the SACP and the ANC 77 CHAPTER 4 The Marxism of the middle class? The academic radicalism of the 1970s 104 CHAPTER 5 Class tells: Wolpe’s critique of liberal and nationalist orthodoxy 125 CHAPTER 6 Critique of pure reason: The cheap labour thesis’s critics 144 CHAPTER 7 Recognising racial reality: Race and class in Wolpe’s later work 185 CHAPTER 8 Real people, real politics: Seeing a strategic opening in apartheid’s retreat 209 CHAPTER 9 Beyond them and us: Politics of division, politics of possibility 232 CHAPTER 10 Schooled in reality: Wolpe, education and the politics of reform 252 CHAPTER 11 A few small areas in the vicinity of Beijing: Harold Wolpe and post-apartheid South Africa 269 CHAPTER 12 Questions, not answers: Transcending the Marxist tradition 285 Notes 301 Bibliography 348 Index 368 The Man The And Movement: Harold Wolpe And The Fight Against Apartheid -- Class Struggle In The Classroom: Wolpe And The Battle Of Ideas -- Voice In The Wilderness? Harold Wolpe, The Sacp And The Anc -- The Marxism Of The Middle Class? The Academic Radicalism Of The 1970s -- Class Tells: Wolpe's Critique Of Liberal And Nationalist Orthodoxy -- Critique Of Pure Reason: The Cheap Labour Thesis's Critics -- Recognizing Racial Reality: Race And Class In Wolpe's Later Work -- Real People, Real Politics: Seeing Strategic Opening In Apartheid's Retreat -- Beyond Them And Us: Politics Of Division, Politics Of Possibility -- Schooled In Reality: Wolpe, Education And The Politics Of Reform -- A Few Small Areas In The Vicinity Of Beijing: Harold Wolpe And Post-apartheid South Africa -- Questions, Not Answers: Transcending The Marxist Tradition. Steven Friedman. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 339-357) And Index.