Cultures of Solidarity

A commonplace assumption about American workers is that they lack class consciousness. This perception has baffled social scientists, demoralized activists, and generated a significant literature on American exceptionalism. In this provocative book, a young sociologist takes the prevailing assumptions to task and sheds new light upon this very important issue. In three vivid case studies Fantasia explores the complicated, multi-faceted dynamics of American working-class consciousness and collective action.

Rick Fantasia is Associate Professor of Sociology at Smith College.

Preface

Part One: Theoretical Directions and the Historical Terrain
1. Culture and Consciousness in Action
2. Corporate Action and the Bounds of Solidarity

Part Two: Contemporary Expressions of Consciousness
and Action
3· The Internal Dynamics of Wildcat Strikes: Routinization
and Its Discontents
4· Union Organizing and Collective Interaction: "Like a
Thief in the Night"
5· The Strike as Emergent Culture: Community and
Collective Action
6. The Limits and Possibilities of Trade Union Action

Appendix
The Measures Taken: Some Notes on Methodology
Notes
Bibliography
Index