University of Virginia Library

Unusual Reversal

"In the white and blue collar division," said
Mr. Caplow recently in a talk with The Cavalier
Daily, "an unusual reversal is now taking place.
The working class has traditionally taken a
place on the political left, while the business
class has been to the center and right. Now,
however, this is somewhat reversed."

The new chairman of the Sociology and
Anthropology department went on to note,
though, that the American working class has
never been particularly noted for its radicalism,
especially in comparison to workers in other
advanced countries like France and Italy.
"Thus," Mr. Caplow said, "what's happening
now is not so surprising, but what is unusual is
the reaction of the upper classes."