Foundations+of+a+neo-Marxist+Class+Analysis

Course Notes: CRS SIS 700 9 November, 2010 By Eddy Wright’s chapter gives an introduction of neo-Marxist theory. Class is the central concept in all Marxist ideology. For more ambitious Marxists, class is the centre of a general theory of history, aka: Historical Materialism However, most have pulled back from this radical viewpoint. Neo-Marxists seek radical egalitarianism in society. This can be explained in through 3 theses: 1) Radical Egalitarianism: A **//true//** redistribution of material conditions of wealth (not a “raise taxes from 36% to 39%” way…) “To each according to his needs, from each according to ability” 2) Historical Possibility: In a highly productive economy it becomes possible to reorder society so this radical egalitarianism can be sustained. 3) Anti-Capitalism: Capitalism blocks the chances of radical egalitarianism Explanation of the word “Class” Many kinds of class relationships: (eg. Slavery, feudalism or capitalism) Different relationships can coexist in a society, like in the antebellum US South: Slavery & Capitalism Class in the Marxist sense is not about individuals within a structure, but more about societal structures overall. Distinguishing between classes can be difficult (people don’t fit into simple categories) so Wright elects to choose only two: Workers vs. Capitalists Five concepts in which Marxists use class: 1) Class interests 2) Class Consciousness 3) Class practices 4) Class formations 5) Class struggle FUNDAMENTAL METATHESIS OF CLASS ANALYSIS! – //“Class has systematic and significant consequences both for the lives of individuals and the dynamics of institutions.”// 2 Propositions concerning the effects of class relationships: 1) What you have is what you get 2) What you have determines what you have to do to get what you get… **Section IV** All about exploitation… Exploitation puts constraints on exploiters (ie. Capitalists): Can’t kill all your workers or else you won’t have anyone to exploit… There are close ties to Weberian class analysis **Section V** Advantages to Marxist strategy to of class analysis: (See page 20-21) 1) Linking exchanges and production 2) Conflict 3) Power 4) Coercion and consent 5) Historical/comparative analysis
 * __Foundations of a Neo-Marxist Class Analysis__** Erin Olin Wright
 * Section I.**
 * Section II.**
 * Section III**