Table of Contents

This book provides an excellent overview of the main issues in the study of social inequality. What follows is a set of notes on the book. These constitute a loose interpretation, with a 'liberal' insertion of graphics to visually illustrate several points being made. You can either read these notes sequentially by clicking the right, up and left arrows, or hypertextually by hitting the hot pointers to jump to desired locations of interest. Happy studying!

Please note also that many of the issues and authors introduced by Bottomore are considered in greater depth later in the term. See the schedule for the weekly topics. Many of the issues discussed in this book come up repeatedly throughout the rest of the term. You should therefore view this book as an overview of the course, and keep coming back to it throughout the course.

Introduction

1. Chapter One: The Nature of Social Classes
   1. Definition
   2. Consensus on General Features of Stratification
   3. Marx on Class
      • A. Three themes:
      • B. Origins of Class:
      • C. Epochs or Historical Phases of Class:
      • D. Structure versus Agency:
      • E. Dichotomous View versus Intermediate Strata:
      • F. Critiques of Marx
   4. Assessment of Changes in Modern Classes in Light of Marx
   5. Neo-Marxist (or continuing Marxist) Analyses of Classes
   6. Elite Theorists
   7. Bottomore's Summary of Five Theses of Book
2. Chapter Two: Classes in Modern Capitalism
   1. Distinctive Features of British Classes
   2. Distinctive Feature of U.S. Classes
   3. Common Characteristic of all Advanced Capitalist Societies
   4. Summary of Bottomore's 3 Thesis on Classes in Modern Capitalist Societies
3. Chapter Three: Class, Classlessness and Socialism
   1. Inequalities in Socialist Societies
   2. Aspects of 'Class' System of Soviet Union
   3. Collapse of Socialist State System
   4. Future of Ex-Socialist Societies
4. Chapter Four: Social Class, Politics and Culture
   1. Origins of Class-Bassed Social Movements
   2. Two Barriers to Spread of Socialism in Post-War Era
   3. Class-Based Politics
   4. Critique of Class-Based Politics Thesis
   5. Political Changes in Eastern Europe and Ex-Communist Countries
5. Chapter Five: The Future of Social Classes
   1. Conflict
   2. Capitalism
   3. Working Class Politics and Consciousness
   4. Socialism
   5. Middle Class Politics
   6. Old and New Social Movements
   7. Marxism
   8. Four New Forms of Political Action or Political Styles

© Copyright Carl Cuneo, Department of Sociology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. URL: http://socserv2.mcmaster.ca/soc/courses/soc2r3/botomtoc.htm