Race, Class, and the World System

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This collection reintroduces the work of major black sociologist Oliver C. Cox to the American public. Although Cox is known primarily as an acerbic critic of mainstream stratification theory and of the caste-class model of race relations, his concerns were far broader to understand the dynamics of modern capitalist society and his work foreshadowed many of the theoretical debates that are of central concern today.The volume begins with an introduction by the editors that provides a biographical background; describes the development of Cox's critical analysis of U.S. sociology; details the hostile reception his work received during his lifetime; and examines his tendentious relationship to Marxism. The section introductions draw out the central points that are of relevance for the study of Cox's work today.The selections cover four areas: Cox's critique of the caste school; his views on contemporary race relations; his discussion of classes and class struggle; and his development of a world-system perspective through his analysis of the rise and expansion of capitalism.