Synopsis
Bestselling investigation into the myth and reality of working-class life in contemporary Britain
In modern Britain, the working class has become an object of fear and ridicule. From Little Britain’s Vicky Pollard to the demonization of Jade Goody, media and politicians alike dismiss as feckless, criminalized and ignorant a vast, underprivileged swathe of society whose members have become stereotyped by one, hate-filled word: chavs.
In this acclaimed investigation, Owen Jones explores how the working class has gone from “salt of the earth” to “scum of the earth.” Exposing the ignorance and prejudice at the heart of the chav caricature, he portrays a far more complex reality. The chav stereotype, he argues, is used by governments as a convenient fig leaf to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems and to justify widening inequality.
When Chavs was first published in 2011 it opened up the discussion of class in Britain. Then, in the public debate after the riots of that summer, Owen Jones’s thesis was proved right—the working class were the scapegoats for everything that was wrong with Britain.
This new edition includes a new chapter, reflecting on the overwhelming response to the book and the situation in Britain today.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Owen Jones is a writer, commentator and activist. He writes frequently for the Guardian, Independent and New Statesman, and has worked in Parliament as a trade union lobbyist and parliamentary researcher, helping Labour plan backbench rebellions on issues ranging from civil liberties to workers’ rights. He lives in London.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: Your Online Bookstore, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 1784783773-3-31469080
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # mon0002498935
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR008264715
Buy Used
US$ 2.98
Shipping:
US$ 7.35
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9781784783778
Buy Used
US$ 4.62
Shipping:
US$ 6.55
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 14 available
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Used; Very Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Seller Inventory # CHL2357590
Buy Used
US$ 4.33
Shipping:
US$ 7.22
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1760563584. 10/15/2025 9:26:24 PM. Seller Inventory # U9781784783778
Buy Used
US$ 5.74
Shipping:
US$ 7.21
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Published by
Verso Books, United Kingdom, London, 2016
ISBN 10: 1784783773
ISBN 13: 9781784783778
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In modern Britain, the working class has become an object of fear and ridicule. From Little Britain's Vicky Pollard to the demonization of Jade Goody, media and politicians alike dismiss as feckless, criminalized and ignorant a vast, underprivileged swathe of society whose members have become stereotyped by one, hate-filled word: chavs. In this acclaimed investigation, Owen Jones explores how the working class has gone from "salt of the earth" to "scum of the earth." Exposing the ignorance and prejudice at the heart of the chav caricature, he portrays a far more complex reality. The chav stereotype, he argues, is used by governments as a convenient fig leaf to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems and to justify widening inequality. When Chavs was first published in 2011 it opened up the discussion of class in Britain. Then, in the public debate after the riots of that summer, Owen Jones's thesis was proved right-the working class were the scapegoats for everything that was wrong with Britain. This new edition includes a new chapter, reflecting on the overwhelming response to the book and the situation in Britain today. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR007466277
Buy Used
US$ 5.92
Shipping:
US$ 7.35
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Published by
Verso Books, United Kingdom, London, 2016
ISBN 10: 1784783773
ISBN 13: 9781784783778
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. In modern Britain, the working class has become an object of fear and ridicule. From Little Britain's Vicky Pollard to the demonization of Jade Goody, media and politicians alike dismiss as feckless, criminalized and ignorant a vast, underprivileged swathe of society whose members have become stereotyped by one, hate-filled word: chavs. In this acclaimed investigation, Owen Jones explores how the working class has gone from "salt of the earth" to "scum of the earth." Exposing the ignorance and prejudice at the heart of the chav caricature, he portrays a far more complex reality. The chav stereotype, he argues, is used by governments as a convenient fig leaf to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems and to justify widening inequality. When Chavs was first published in 2011 it opened up the discussion of class in Britain. Then, in the public debate after the riots of that summer, Owen Jones's thesis was proved right-the working class were the scapegoats for everything that was wrong with Britain. This new edition includes a new chapter, reflecting on the overwhelming response to the book and the situation in Britain today. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR007733685
Buy Used
US$ 5.92
Shipping:
US$ 7.35
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781784783778
Buy Used
US$ 4.62
Shipping:
US$ 9.17
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 14 available
Stock Image
Chavs : The Demonization of the Working Class
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 12723966-6
Buy Used
US$ 6.00
Shipping:
US$ 10.51
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available