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The lifestyle, economic basis and political affiliations of the British upper class are the focus of this exciting new textbook. Combining a review of existing sociological theory on class and capitalism with material drawn from a great variety of sources it is likely to become a standard course text. Examining the question of whether there is still a ruling class in Britain, John Scott presents an account of the historical development of the British upper class, the development of industrial and financial dynasties, town and country society as well as of London and the political world. Photographs and other illustrations cover subjects as diverse as public school fees, the structure of parliament, and the dates and events of the 'Season'.
List of contents
List of illustrations VII
Acknowledgements IX
Introduction 1
1 What is a Capitalist Class? 7 The Orthodox Marxist View 8
The Fabian View 16
Burnham and the Managerial Revolution 19
Post-war Revisionism 20
The Capitalist Class Reconsidered 23
2 What is a Ruling Class? 25 Marx on the British Ruling Class 26
The Orthodox Marxist View 27
An Unorthodox Marxist View 29
The Power Bloc and the State 31
3 The Making of the Ruling Class 40 The Ancien Regime in Europe 41
The Old Society in England 44
The Transition to Modernity 57
4 Is there still a Capitalist Class? 63 Who are the Capitalists? 64
The Development of the Business Class 72
Contours of the Capitalist Class 80
Class Reproduction and Capital Reproduction 90
5 Is there still an Upper Circle? 93 The 'Traditional' Status System 93
'Tradition', Social Networks and Class Reproduction 106
6 Is there still a Ruling Class? 118 Power Elites and the Ruling Class 118
The Changing Anatomy of Political Rule 124
The Structure of Political Domination 139
Notes 153
Index 165
About the author
John Scott is author of many other works on the subject of wealth and the upper class in Britain, including
Sociology of Elites. He previously taught at the University of Strathclyde.
Summary
The lifestyle, economic basis and political affiliations of the British upper class are the focus of this exciting new textbook. Combining a review of existing sociological theory on class and capitalism with material drawn from a great variety of sources it is likely to become a standard course text.
