Tom Bottomore

Classes in Modern Society

Second Edition , London: Harper Collins Academic, 1991

Introduction

universality of social inequality (emphasized by structural-functionalism considered later in the course)
rationalization of it
revolts against it
equalitarian movements agst. Inequality in post-feudal times.

Two main types of advanced industrial societies:

1) capitalist (private ownership of industrial and financial wealth) - large differences in social inequality, esp. Between property owners and all others.

amelioration of inequalities (not abolition of classes) in post-war era caused by:
relative earnings of different occupational groups
progressive taxation (somewhat)
growth of welfare state (improvement in educational and social services)
rise in national incomes
increase in individual mobility

2) socialist (Eastern Europe and Soviet Union)

ideology = equalitarianism and classlessness (absence of private property ownership)
reality = bureaucratic centralization of power in state elite and party

= emergence of a 'ruling class' or powerful elite concentrating political and economic power

Three Purposes of Book

1) how movement to social equality beginning in 1848 has affected social inequality, and how latter affected by modern industry. ; involves inquiry into nature of social classes, initially.

2) comparative analysis of changes in stratification in two principal types of modern industrial societies, and their explanation.

3) confrontation between inequality and equality.

is equality possible in modern industrial society?
is inequality inevitable; what kinds? (emphasized by structural-functionalism considered later in the course)

Other

1) non-class inequalities exist, but are subordinate to class inequality (to be discussed under gender and race at the end of the course).

2) no definite point at which it can be said that equality has been definitively established; reversals are possible; thus eternal vigilance necessary.