Braverman on the labour process: the problem of class structure
Résumé
This contribution aims at complementing David Spencer's case for Braverman. Among other objections, it has been reproached to Braverman to supposedly over simplify the analysis of class structure by presuming a tendency to class polarisation. A careful reading of Labour and monopoly capital reveals that its author has certainly a personal preference for the polarisation thesis, yet he emphasises also the countertendencies to this bipolar class division. Another aim of this paper is to reinterpret Duménil's and Lévy's argument through Braverman's understanding of capitalist division of labour. This global class structure outline of modern capitalism leads to the overcoming of the classical and unfruitful opposition between dual and segmented class explanations of societies under capitalism.