Considerations on the concept of social class in Florestan Fernandes

Abstract

This  article  aims  to  discuss  Florestan  Fernandes’  contribution  to  the  studies  on  social classes, from three considerations about his theoretical-methodological approach, as it appears in different moments of his intellectual trajectory. The first one seeks to highlight 1)  a  synthetic  understanding  of  the  concept  of  social  classes,  which  encompasses  its synchronic and diachronic dimensions, as well as the objective and subjective,in order to capture significant variations through its different historical-social manifestations. The second note focuses on the 2) author’s emphasis on the theoretical relevance of social classes as a concept to analyze not only the central capitalist countries, but also those related to dependent capitalism. The third consideration suggests 3) the assertion of the complex  and  multifaceted  character  of  social  and  political  struggles,  which  includes different domains of social life, and articulates different arrangements of hierarchy and social  domination.  The  analysis  allows  to  shed  light  on  less  explored  aspects  of  the author's  understanding  on  the  dynamics  of  social  classes,  as  well  as  to  highlight  the continuities and conceptual reworking of Florestan Fernandes throughout his trajectory.