[lbo-talk] ruling class

[Miles Jackson]

Doug Henwood wrote:
> Miles Jackson wrote:
> 
>> That's what Mills would call the "economic sector" of the power elite. 
>> (Jim provided a nice synopsis of Mills upthread).  The more I think 
>> about this, the more I agree with Mills that the term "ruling class" 
>> is not very useful.
> 
> 
> Call me a dinosaur, but under capitalism, I think the "economic sector" 
> is the ultimate power. Yes, I'll accept qualifications for partial state 
> autonomy, "in the last instance," first among equals, etc. etc. But no 
> so many that the fundamental nature of class rule is obscured. So ruling 
> class is all right by me.
> 

I agree; that was my original argument in this thread.  But if the 
economic sector is the ultimate power, then the bourgeoisie and the 
ruling class are just synonymous terms, right?  --Bourgeoisie who make 
money and pay no attention to politics are still part of the ruling 
class, because politics in a capitalist society is predicated on their 
interests, even if they do nothing to actively "direct" political action.

Miles