Overview

Around the world, populist movements are gaining traction among the white working class. Meanwhile, members of the professional elite-journalists, managers, and establishment politicians-are on the outside looking in, left to argue over the reasons. In White Working Class, Joan C. Williams, described as having something approaching rock star status by the New York Times, explains why so much of the elite's analysis of the white working class is misguided, rooted in class cluelessness. Williams explains that many people have conflated working class with poor-but the working class is, in fact, the elusive, purportedly disappearing middle class. They often resent the poor and the professionals alike. But they don't resent the truly rich, nor are they particularly bothered by income inequality. Their dream is not to join the upper middle class, with its different culture, but to stay true to their own values in their own communities-just with more money. While white working-class motivations are often dismissed as racist or xenophobic, Williams shows that they have their own class consciousness. White Working Class is a blunt, bracing narrative that sketches a nuanced portrait of millions of people who have proven to be a potent political force. For anyone stunned by the rise of populist, nationalist movements, wondering why so many would seemingly vote against their own economic interests, or simply feeling like a stranger in their own country, White Working Class will be a convincing primer on how to connect with a crucial set of workers-and voters.

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9781538470435

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Reviews

Blunt, compelling, [and] tightly argued. -- Tony Schwartz, author of The Way We're Working Isn't Working Each chapter illuminates a core source of misunderstanding, and together they chart a way to bring the country together without abandoning the values of the minorities. -- Arlie Russell Hochschild, author of Strangers in Their Own Land Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, written with an extraordinary clarity and data-driven insight... a seminal work of exceptional scholarship and very highly recommended. -- Midwest Book Review No one should have an excuse for 'class cluelessness' after reading this book-and everyone should read it. -- Anne-Marie Slaughter, president and CEO of New America

No one should have an excuse for 'class cluelessness' after reading this book-and everyone should read it. -- Anne-Marie Slaughter, president and CEO of New America Blunt, compelling, [and] tightly argued. -- Tony Schwartz, author of The Way We're Working Isn't Working Each chapter illuminates a core source of misunderstanding, and together they chart a way to bring the country together without abandoning the values of the minorities. -- Arlie Russell Hochschild, author of Strangers in Their Own Land Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, written with an extraordinary clarity and data-driven insight... a seminal work of exceptional scholarship and very highly recommended. -- Midwest Book Review

Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, written with an extraordinary clarity and data-driven insight... a seminal work of exceptional scholarship and very highly recommended. -- Midwest Book Review Blunt, compelling, [and] tightly argued. -- Tony Schwartz, author of The Way We're Working Isn't Working Each chapter illuminates a core source of misunderstanding, and together they chart a way to bring the country together without abandoning the values of the minorities. -- Arlie Russell Hochschild, author of Strangers in Their Own Land No one should have an excuse for 'class cluelessness' after reading this book-and everyone should read it. -- Anne-Marie Slaughter, president and CEO of New America

No one should have an excuse for 'class cluelessness' after reading this book-and everyone should read it. -- Anne-Marie Slaughter, president and CEO of New America Each chapter illuminates a core source of misunderstanding, and together they chart a way to bring the country together without abandoning the values of the minorities. -- Arlie Russell Hochschild, author of Strangers in Their Own Land Blunt, compelling, [and] tightly argued. -- Tony Schwartz, author of The Way We're Working Isn't Working Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, written with an extraordinary clarity and data-driven insight... a seminal work of exceptional scholarship and very highly recommended. -- Midwest Book Review

Author Information

Joan C. Williams is Distinguished Professor of Law and Hastings Foundation Chair at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Williams' work includes What Works for Women at Work, coauthored with Rachel Dempsey; Unbending Gender: Why Family and Work Conflict and What To Do about It; and such widely read reports as The Three Faces of Work-Family Conflict, coauthored with Heather Boushey. Williams is frequently featured as an expert on social class. For more information, visit JoanCWilliams.com.

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