Class and Politics in Advanced Industrial Societies

Abstract

The post-WWII consensus on the relationship between class & politics in advanced industrial societies has ended, leading to lively debate. Four different positions in this debate are identified, all in agreement that the class basis of politics has eroded. This basic assumption is challenged here, arguing that, though the political significance of class has been altered in the late 20th century, these changes have been too complex & too varied across national political contexts to be explained by any single thesis. Empirical evidence is presented to refute the argument that a weakening of the link between class & voting behavior represents a generic feature of politics in advanced industrial societies. Implications for Marxist approaches to the issue are discussed. 53 References. K. Hyatt Stewart