Consciousness and Action among the Western Working Class

“Consciousness and Action among the Western Working Class” by Michael Mann, published by Palgrave HE UK on November 11, 1973, is an analytical exploration of working-class consciousness across Britain, France, Italy, and the United States. This first edition, comprising 84 pages, delves into whether the contemporary working class can be viewed as a potentially revolutionary force in the West. The book discusses the varying intensities of class conflict and consciousness in different countries, with a focus on the insights of Marxist and functionalist theories, particularly the contributions of contemporary French Marxists.

Readers will find a comparative analysis that examines class consciousness as a dynamic process, especially during turbulent strike situations. Mann addresses the complexities of class conflict, arguing that the relationship between Labour and Capital is dualistic and unstable. The text highlights that revolutionary potential is most pronounced in contexts of balanced economic and social development, suggesting that the notion of the working class inherently possessing revolutionary power is overly simplistic. This examination of ideology and industrial sociology provides a nuanced perspective on the working class and its role in societal change.