The White Collar Working Class: From Structure to Politics

Especially pertinent for political sociologists and political scientists, this text examines key social and political issues surrounding the white collar working class. The study is unique both in its coverage and elucidation of complex theories of white collar class and in incorporating structural class definition into the empirical investigation. The document examines current class situation, changes over time, and political outcomes. Specifically, it identifies a system of stratification within the working class, scrutinizes the proletarianization questions, and demonstrates the political consequences of structural class. The White Collar Working Class is a significant expansion of a study of white collar class at the beginning of the 1980s. Reflecting both traditional and Marxian sociological perspectives of class and stratification, chaptes critique competing theories of white collar class situation and profile the changing white collar class structure. The final chapter explores the political implications of class, stratification, and white collar work.

Sobel examines key social and political issues surrounding the white collar working class, identifying a system of stratification within the working class, scrutinizing the proletarianization questions, and demonstrating the political consequences of structural class.

RICHARD SOBEL is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and a Research Associate of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Connecticut.