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Erik Olin Wright

    Erik Olin Wright was a prominent American analytical Marxist sociologist whose work explored social stratification and envisioned egalitarian alternative futures to capitalism. He focused on updating and elaborating the Marxist concept of class, aiming to provide a robust framework for understanding and predicting individuals' material interests, lived experiences, and collective action. Wright sought to develop class categories that would enable comparisons across diverse capitalist and post-capitalist societies. His influential theories offer critical insights into social structures and their impact on human lives.

    Alternatives to Capitalism
    Legislature by Lot
    Class, Crisis and the State
    American Society: How It Really Works
    Understanding Class
    Class Counts
    • 2025

      Class, Crisis and the State

      • 272 pages
      • 10 hours of reading

      This work offers a significant advancement in Marxian social science, exploring new interpretations and applications of Marxist theory. It delves into the complexities of social structures and economic systems, providing fresh insights into class dynamics and power relations. By challenging traditional perspectives, the book aims to reshape contemporary discussions within the field, making it essential reading for scholars and students interested in the evolution of Marxist thought and its relevance to modern society.

      Class, Crisis and the State
    • 2019

      Legislature by Lot

      • 448 pages
      • 16 hours of reading

      An ancient answer to the timeless question of how best to choose our lawmakers.

      Legislature by Lot
    • 2016

      Alternatives to Capitalism

      • 152 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      What would a viable free and democratic society look like? Poverty, exploitation, instability, hierarchy, subordination, environmental exhaustion, radical inequalities of wealth and power—it is not difficult to list capitalism’s myriad injustices. But is there a preferable and workable alternative? Alternatives to Capitalism: Proposals for a Democratic Economy presents a debate between two such possibilities: Robin Hahnel’s “participatory economics” and Erik Olin Wright’s “real utopian” socialism. It is a detailed and rewarding discussion that illuminates a range of issues and dilemmas of crucial importance to any serious effort to build a better world.

      Alternatives to Capitalism
    • 2015

      American Society: How It Really Works

      • 592 pages
      • 21 hours of reading
      3.8(10)Add rating

      Exploring the fabric of American society, the authors examine its structure and functionality by posing critical questions about its values and the need for change. They identify five core social values—freedom, prosperity, efficiency, fairness, and democracy—that resonate with many Americans. By challenging readers to reflect on the extent to which these values are realized in contemporary society, the authors propose pathways for addressing pressing social issues and fostering meaningful progress.

      American Society: How It Really Works
    • 2015

      Leading sociologist examines how different readings of class enrich our understanding of capitalism Few ideas are more contested today than “class.” Some have declared its death, while others insist on its centrality to contemporary capitalism. It is said its relevance is limited to explaining individuals’ economic conditions and opportunities, while at the same time argued that it is a structural feature of macro-power relations. In Understanding Class, leading left sociologist Erik Olin Wright interrogates the divergent meanings of this fundamental concept in order to develop a more integrated framework of class analysis. Beginning with the treatment of class in Marx and Weber, proceeding through the writings of Charles Tilly, Thomas Piketty, Guy Standing, and others, and finally examining how class struggle and class compromise play out in contemporary society, Understanding Class provides a compelling view of how to think about the complexity of class in the world today.

      Understanding Class
    • 1996

      Class Counts

      • 310 pages
      • 11 hours of reading
      4.2(24)Add rating

      Focusing on the concept of class, this textbook delves into its significance in contemporary society, offering a clear and engaging examination of theoretical foundations. It utilizes cross-national comparative data to analyze various topics, including social mobility, housework, friendship patterns, and class consciousness. The Student Edition of Class Counts merges complex social theory with practical insights into pressing social issues, making it a valuable resource for understanding class dynamics.

      Class Counts