Class, Politics, and the Decline of Deference in England, 1968-2000

This book examines the role of class in shaping identities and narratives in England from 1968 to 2000, highlighting its evolving significance.

In the late twentieth century, England experienced a surge in inequality, prompting debates about the significance of class politics. The book Class, Politics, and the Decline of Deference in England, 1968-2000 explores these discussions, revealing that class remained a vital aspect of 'ordinary' people's narratives about social change and their identities from 1968 to 2000, albeit in evolving forms. Through a rich analysis of self-narratives sourced from sociological studies, oral history projects, and autobiographies, the author illustrates how perceptions of class shifted over these decades.

As the years progressed, individuals increasingly viewed class as a historical identity tied to background and heritage, with many asserting that class boundaries had notably blurred since 1945. The book notes that class snobberies became less overt, as people from diverse backgrounds began to prioritize authenticity, individuality, and ordinariness. The author argues that understanding the cultural transformations of this period requires a focus on the decline of deference, which fundamentally altered attitudes toward class and politics.

Additionally, the book critiques the notion that political figures like Thatcher and New Labour effectively erased class from the political discourse. It contends that while Thatcher sought to diminish class importance due to her ideological stance, New Labour adeptly resonated with the evolving sentiments of voters regarding class and ordinariness. Ultimately, Class, Politics, and the Decline of Deference in England, 1968-2000 presents a nuanced view of how class identities and political narratives interacted during a time of significant social change.