The prediction, more accurately expressed, is that the more highly
skilled and paid sectors of the working class will begin to develop a
distorted class consciousness, thereby dividing the working class
against itself. The writers of the report, sharing the view of standard
sociology and crude marxists that "class" is a matter of layers rather
than a social relation, see this as a possible revolt of a mythical
"middle class." They need not worry -- if their prediction is true at
all, what will happen is that this mythical 'middle class' will ally
with the ruling class to suppress the barbarian threat designated as
"urban under-classes" (i.e. the less skilled sector of the working
class). I believe there have been a number of sci-fi movies in late
years that image such a future.

I have argued before that revolutionary surges usually have at their
core some of the less oppressed sectors of the subordinate class
(peasantry or working class), but of course that sector can achieve its
goals _only_ by energizing (uniting with) the more oppressed sectors of
the class (poor peasants, urban poor, 'illegal' immigrants, etc.).

Carrol

Reply via email to