The Concept of Class : An Historical Introduction

Peter Calvert

ISBN 10: 1032989122 / ISBN 13: 9781032989129

Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd Jun 2026, 2026

About this Item

Neuware - Originally published in 1982, The Concept of Class provides a concise and stimulating guide to the historical development of the concept of 'class' and the different ways in which it has been applied in social and political theory. The author begins by determining where and how the word acquired its political sense, and after a short re-examination of its classical background, moves on to consider Marx's reformulation of the concept and his proposals for making it a fundamental term in the study of society. He traces the different strands of Marxist and non-Marxist use of the term right up to the twentieth century, considers the confusion of ideas that had resulted at the time, and analyses the utility of 'class' in assessing the nature of contemporary socialist states and post-industrial capitalist societies.

Seller Inventory # 9781032989129

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Concept of Class : An Historical Introduction
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd Jun 2026
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1032989122
• ISBN 13: 9781032989129
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 216W x 138H x 0D millimeters 216 millimeters width by 138 millimeters height by 0 millimeters depth
• Weight: 470 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Originally published in 1982, The Concept of Class provides a concise and stimulating guide to the historical development of the concept of ‘class’ and the different ways in which it has been applied in social and political theory. The author begins by determining where and how the word acquired its political sense, and after a short re-examination of its classical background, moves on to consider Marx’s reformulation of the concept and his proposals for making it a fundamental term in the study of society. He traces the different strands of Marxist and non-Marxist use of the term right up to the twentieth century, considers the confusion of ideas that had resulted at the time, and analyses the utility of ‘class’ in assessing the nature of contemporary socialist states and post-industrial capitalist societies.

In conclusion, Dr Calvert suggests that class is an ‘essentially contested concept’ – that is, a concept on which agreement is by its nature impossible. Today it can be read in its historical context.