The New Middle Class Revisited

Abstract

This article examines Marxist writings on the `new middle class'/`new working class' debate. It is not concerned with examining the internal validity of different theories but more with the wider aspects of the debate. It is possible to consider the debate in relation to a series of absences. Firstly there has been an absence of history, and a strong tendency to locate class at the level of timeless structures, that interact, conflict and exist outside of national circumstances or historical contexts. Secondly, class as a social relationship, meaningful only within a framework where classes relate and conflict, has been ignored. Correspondingly the importance of class based political organizations, associations and movements has been neglected. Finally, writers have overwhelmingly failed to produce empirical case studies into the work, social and trade union practices of specific sections of `new middle class' workers. This review firstly considers the reasons for these absences and suggests possible ways forward for future research. And secondly, it looks at two new books in the field, which unfortunately highlight some of the main weaknesses described above.