Class Formation of Fisher in Balikpapan

Abstract

As Erik Olin Wright says, aside from class structure one of the focuses of the analysis is class formation. Class formation itself is “the formation of organized collectivities within that class structure on the basis of the interests shaped by that class structure” (Wright 1987: 10), or “the formation of classes into collectively organized actors” (Wright 1991: 18). It is further explained that, “if class structure is defined by social relations between classes, class formation is defined by social relations within classes, social relations which forge collectivities engage in struggle” (Wright 1987: 10). In other words, class formation is a process of the formation of the social class from class in itself to become class for itself, a social class that has already had class awareness (see also: Burawoy 1991). On a related note in his study on fishermen’s organization in Canada Clement says, “This is a study of class formation, that is, the way collectivities of fishers become organized and act as a class” (Clement 1986: 14).