The Rise of Professional Society

England Since 1880

Author: Harold Perkin

Harold Perkin argues that the non-capitalist "professional class" represents a new principle of social organization based on trained expertise and meritocracy, a "forgotten middle class" conveniently overlooked by classical social theorists.

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Summary

Description

The Rise of Professional Society lays out a stimulating and controversial framework for the study of British society, challenging accepted paradigms based on class analysis. Perkins argues that the non-capitalist "professional class" represents a new principle of social organization based on trained expertise and meritocracy, a "forgotten middle class" conveniently overlooked by classical social theorists.

Critic Reviews

“'This book is quite simply a tour-de-force, one of the most impressive works of history to have appeared in English in recent years.' - David Marquand, Salford University 'An astonishing sequel to the equally astonishing Origins of Modern English Society by a great master of the art of original synthesis. Here is the indispensable new paradigm over which we can argue and, still better, from which we can learn.' - Sheldon Rothblatt, University of California, Berkeley”

'A true magnum opus. No social historian can afford not to read it.' – Asa Briggs

'Accessible to the general reader, indispensable to the scholar and a solid achievement of synthesis and clarity.' – TheObserver

About the Author

Harold Perkin is Professor Emeritus of History at Northwestern University, Evanstone, Illinois; Professor Emeritus at Lancaster University and Honorary Professor at Cardiff University. He is author of numerous books including The Origins of English Society 1780-880 (1969), The Age of the Railway (1970) and The Third Revolution (1996).

Back Cover

This long awaited sequel to The Origins of Modern English Society explores the rise of 'the forgotten middle class' to show a new principle of social organization. The Rise of Professional Society lays out a stimulating and controversial framework for the study of British society, challenging accepted paradigms based on class analysis. Perkins argues that the non-capitalist 'professional class' represents a new principle of social organization based on trained expertise and meritocracy, a 'forgotten middle class' conveniently overlooked by classical social theorists. Students of British history will find this an interesting and enlightening addition to their degree course studies.