John Roemer's book A General Theory of Exploitation and Class is a novel and controversial contribution to the Marxian theory of exploitation and class. In this paper I give a synopsis of the conclusions obtained by Roemer. I discuss the methodological status of his framework focusing on his use of assumptions and of general equilibrium models, and I discuss the extent to which his framework may be useful in empirical research on class.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Arrow, Kenneth J.'Some Ordinalist-Utilitarian Notes on Rawls', Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 70(9) (1973), pp 245-263.
2.
Bhaskar, Roy.The Possibility of Naturalism, Humanities Press , New Jersey1979.
3.
Braverman, Harry.Labor and Monopoly Capital The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century , Monthly Review Press, New York1974
4.
Coleman, James S.'Review Essay Inequality, Sociology and Moral Philosophy', American Journal of Sociology, Vol 80(3) (1974), pp 739-764.
5.
Elster, Jon.Logic and Society, Wiley, New York1978.
6.
Elster, Jon.'Roemer versus Roemer: A Comment on "New Directions in the Marxian Theory of Exploitation and Class",' Politics and Society, Vol 11(3) (1982 ), pp 363-373.
7.
Giddens, AnthonyThe Class Structure of Advanced Societies, Hutchinson , London1973.
8.
Gouldner, Alwin WThe Future of Intellectuals and the Rise of the New Class, Oxford University Press, New York1979.
9.
Hahn, Frank H'The Winter of our Discontent', Economica, Vol. 40 (1973), pp. 322-330.
10.
Hahn, Frank H.'General Equilibrium Theory', pp. 123-138 in Daniel Bell and Irving Kristol (eds.), Crisis in Economic Theory, Basic Books, New York1981
11.
Hess, James D.The Economics of Organization, North-Holland, Amsterdam1983
12.
Levi, Margaret & North, Douglas C'Towards a Property-Rights Theory of Exploitation' , Politics and Society, Vol. 11(3) (1982), pp. 315-320.
13.
Levine, Andrew.'Towards a Marxian Theory of Justice', Politics and Society , Vol 11(3) (1982), pp. 343-362.
14.
Politics and Society.Symposium on Roemer Vol. 11(3) ( 1982), pp. 251-394.
15.
Poulantzas, Nicos.Les Classes Sociales dans le Capitalism Aujourd'hui, Editions du Seuil, Pans1974
16.
Przeworski, Adam'The Ethical Materialism of John Roemer'Politics and Society, Vol. 11(3) (1982), pp. 289-313.
17.
Rawls, John.A Theory of Justice, Harvard University Press, Cambndge, Mass1971.
18.
Roemer, John EAnalytical Foundations of Marxian Economic Theory, Cambndge University Press, Cambridge, Mass1981
19.
Roemer, John EA General Theory of Exploitation and Class, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass1982a
20.
Roemer, John E'New Directions in the Marxian Theory of Exploitation and Class', Politics and Society, Vol. 11(3) (1982b), pp 253-287.
21.
Roemer, John E.'Reply', Politics and Society', Vol 11(3) ( 1982c), pp. 375-395.
22.
Rosenberg, Alexander'If Economics Isn't Science, What Is It?'Syracuse University, Department of Philosophy, Working Paper. Syracuse, NY1982.
23.
van Fraasen, Bas CThe Scientific Image, Clarendon Press, Oxford1980.
24.
Weber, MaxEconomy and Society, Vols IandII, University of California Press, Berkeley1978.
25.
Wright, Enk O.'Class Boundanes in Advanced Capitalism'New Left Review , No. 98 (1976), pp 3-41.
26.
Wright, Enk O.'The Status of the Political in the Concept of Class Structure'Politics and Society, Vol 11(3) (1982). pp 321-341
27.
Wright, Enk O'A General Framework for the Analysis of Class' University of Wisconsin-Madison: Comparative Project on Class Structure and Class Consciousness Working Paper Series, Working paper number 16, Department of Sociology, 1983.
