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Social Class and State Power

Exploring an Alternative Radical Tradition

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Excavates a tradition of class analysis that influenced Marx but differs significantly.
  • Emphasizes the role of politics in constituting class position.
  • Links class analysis with a critique of state power.

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Table of contents (35 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxvi
  2. Classic Works of Classical Liberal Class Analysis

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Richard Overton, “Monopolists as Frogs and Vermin” (1641)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 3-6
    3. Adam Smith, “On Conspiracies, Monopolies, and Unproductive Labour” (1776)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 7-9
    4. Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man (1792)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 11-17
    5. Thomas Paine, Letter Addressed to the Addressers on the Late Proclamation (June 1792)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 19-24
    6. William Godwin, “Of Courts, Subjects, and Pensions” (1793)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 25-32
    7. Vicesimus Knox, The Spirit of Despotism (1795)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 33-37
    8. Jeremy Bentham, “Causes of All Mischiefs,” Plan of Parliamentary Reform (1817)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 39-45
    9. Thomas Hodgskin, “On Obedience as the Object of Legislation” (1832)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 51-58
    10. William Leggett, “The Lordlings of the Paper Dynasty” (1834)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 59-62
    11. James Mill, “On Those Who Pillage and Those Who Are Pillaged” (1835)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 63-69
    12. John Wade, “The Aristocracy and the Oligarchy” (1835)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 71-79
    13. Adolphe Blanqui, “The Class Which Does Not Kill or Pillage” (1837)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 81-85
    14. Richard Cobden, “England Is a Perfect Paradise for the Aristocracy” (1845–49)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 87-94
    15. Frédéric Bastiat, “The English Oligarchy” (1845)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 95-98
    16. Frédéric Bastiat, “The Physiology of Plunder” (1847)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 99-106
    17. John C. Calhoun, “Tax Payers versus Tax Receivers” (1849)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 107-115
    18. Charles Renouard, “Robbers as Parasites” (1852)

      • David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long
      Pages 117-123

About this book

This book explores the idea of social class in the liberal tradition. It collects classical and contemporary texts illustrating and examining the liberal origins of class analysis—often associated with Marxism but actually rooted in the work of liberal theorists. Liberal class analysis emphasizes the constitutive connection between state power and class position. Social Class and State Power documents the rich tradition of liberal class theory, its rediscovery in the twentieth century, and the possibilities it opens up for research in the new millenium.

Reviews

“This book is an absolute treasure trove of mostly forgotten writings analyzing the phenomena of class, social power, and exploitation. The perspective these writings offer on the nature of politics is surprising, provocative, and highly illuminating.” (Matt Zwolinski, University of San Diego, USA)

“This magnificent new compendium of writings by a broad range of leading thinkers from the past three centuries sets the record straight about the true origins and development of class analysis and its continuing and central importance to political and social theory.” (Joseph Salerno, Pace University, USA)

“This collection makes clear that the idea of class conflict did not originate with Marx but emerged from the liberal tradition, of which it was a central element. Class analysis centered on the division between the productive classes and those who gain rents by using political power, underscores the reality that increasing state power will actually increase class division and exploitation rather than supplanting it.” (Stephen Davies, Institute for Economic Affairs, UK)

“This reader presents classic and modern works centered on a common theme: how have the political mechanisms of the state intruded upon the distributional outcomes of a free and open society? This multifaceted survey traces the history of state predation through the works of the English Levelers, the Scottish Enlightenment, classical economists, American individualist anarchists, and current libertarian thinkers. The selected readings display remarkable intellectual diversity and often approach the subject of class and the state from distinct and sometimes contrasting angles. Readers of all intellectual backgrounds will find fresh insights from the overlooked classical perspectives presented in this accessible volume.” (Phillip W. Magness, George Mason University, USA)

Editors and Affiliations

  • Indianapolis, USA

    David M. Hart

  • La Sierra University, Riverside, USA

    Gary Chartier

  • Los Angeles, USA

    Ross Miller Kenyon

  • Auburn University, Auburn, USA

    Roderick T. Long

About the editors

David M. Hart, Director, Online Library of Liberty, Liberty Fund, Indianapolis, USA

Gary Chartier, Distinguished Professor of Law and Business Ethics, La Sierra University, USA

Ross Miller Kenyon, independent scholar and video producer, Los Angeles, USA

Roderick T. Long, Professor of Philosophy, Auburn University, USA

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Social Class and State Power

  • Book Subtitle: Exploring an Alternative Radical Tradition

  • Editors: David M. Hart, Gary Chartier, Ross Miller Kenyon, Roderick T. Long

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64894-1

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-64893-4Published: 18 January 2018

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-87896-6Published: 04 June 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-64894-1Published: 29 November 2017

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XXVI, 345

  • Topics: Political Sociology, Sociological Theory, Social Theory

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access