Understanding class

**Leading sociologist examines how different readings of class enrich our understanding of capitalism**Few ideas are more contested today than “class.” Some have declared its death, while others insist on its centrality to contemporary capitalism. It is said its relevance is limited to explaining individuals’ economic conditions and opportunities, while at the same time argued that it is a structural feature of macro-power relations. In __Understanding Class__, leading left sociologist Erik Olin Wright interrogates the divergent meanings of this fundamental concept in order to develop a more integrated framework of class analysis. Beginning with the treatment of class in Marx and Weber, proceeding through the writings of Charles Tilly, Thomas Piketty, Guy Standing, and others, and finally examining how class struggle and class compromise play out in contemporary society, __Understanding Class__ provides a compelling view of how to think about the complexity of class in the world today What Are The Causes Of Inequality In Capitalist Society? In Understanding Class, Leading Left Sociologist Erik Olin Wright Returns To The Fundamental Concept Underlying This Question, And Interrogates The Different Theories And Paradigms That Have Arisen For Understanding It. Beginning With Class Analysis In Marx And Weber, Proceeding Through The Writings Of Charles Tilly And Others, And Finally Examining How Class Struggle And Class Compromise Play Out In Contemporary Society, Understanding Class Provides A Complex But Compelling View Of How To Think Through Inequality-- From Grand Paradigm Battles To Pragmatist Realism : Towards An Integrated Class Analysis -- Frameworks Of Class Analysis. The Shadow Of Exploitation In Weber's Class Analysis ; Metatheoretical Foundations Of Charles Tilly's Durable Inequality ; Class, Exploitation, And Economic Rents : Reflections On Sørensen's Toward A Sounder Basis For Class Analysis ; Michael Mann's Two Frameworks Of Class Analysis -- Class In The Twenty-first Century. Occupations As Micro-classes : David Grusky And Kim Weeden's Reconfiguration Of Class Analysis ; The Ambiguities Of Class In Thomas Piketty's Capital In The Twenty-first Century ; The Death Of Class Debate ; Is The Precariat A Class? -- Class Struggle And Class Compromise. Beneficial Constraints : Beneficial For Whom? ; Working Class Power, Capitalist Class Interests, And Class Compromise ; Class Struggle And Class Compromise In The Era Of Stagnation And Crisis. Erik Olin Wright. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Leading sociologist examines how different readings of class enrich our understanding of capitalism Few ideas are more contested today than class. Some have declared its death, while others insist on its centrality to contemporary capitalism. It is said its relevance is limited to explaining individuals economic conditions and opportunities, while at the same time argued that it is a structural feature of macro-power relations. In Understanding Class , leading left sociologist Erik Olin Wright interrogates the divergent meanings of this fundamental concept in order to develop a more integrated framework of class analysis. Beginning with the treatment of class in Marx and Weber, proceeding through the writings of Charles Tilly, Thomas Piketty, Guy Standing, and others, and finally examining how class struggle and class compromise play out in contemporary society, Understanding Class provides a compelling view of how to think about the complexity of class in the world today. From the Trade Paperback edition.