2025-3-11 Political Education Theory Session #3: "What is Class?"
In this session of our Theory series, we ask “What Is Class?” This session will introduce attendees to socialist class analysis. We will discuss the variable meanings of “class” in contemporary conversation, considering how the Marxist understanding of class differs from commonplace or other sociological models of the term. We will examine the advantages and disadvantages of thinking class in simplified terms (i.e. a binary between capitalists and workers) and schemes that identify various subgroups and gradations. We will question who exactly belongs to the category “working class” and why socialists believe the working class holds the key to social change. Finally, we’ll consider how we might best think of class struggle alongside struggles against sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression.
Core Readings:
- Hadas Thier - "The Working Class Is the Vast Majority of Society"
- Erik Olin Wright - excerpt from Class Counts
- Ellen Meiksins Wood - "Why Class Struggle Is Central"
Additional Readings:
- Raymond Williams - "Class" from Keywords
- Vivek Chibber - "Capitalism and Class Struggle" from *The ABCs of Capitalism
When
March 11th, 2025 at 7:00pm - 9pm
Where
Zoom