A neo-utilitarian theory of class?
Aage Sorensen aims to develop a structural theory of inequality that isequal in format and comprehensiveness to Marx’s theory of class yetavoids the ﬂaws of that theory, which derive from its grounding in thepremises of classical economics. Applying neo-utilitarian theory to classanalysis, Sorensen argues that access to enduring rents can inform a newconceptualization of “class as exploitation” and thereby put the sociologi-cal enterprise of class analysis on a sounder basis. The need for such con-ceptual reformulation grows out of the marginalist turn in economic the-ory and the related demise of the labor theory of value as well as, Sorensensuggests, the failure of subsequent class analysts to invent alternative the-ories of structural inequality in which exploitation generates antagonisticinterests. Although many scholars—Marxist and non-Marxist—have pro-posed alternative class schemes, nearly all of these are based on an under-standing of “class as life conditions.” According to Sorensen, class as lifeconditions—deﬁned by the total wealth controlled by similarly situatedactors—does not necessarily create antagonistic interests and thus pro-vides a poor foundation for understanding how class position generatesmobilization and conﬂict.We agree that the labor theory of value of classical economics is indefen-sible, leaving Marxist theory without its primary basis for identifying classexploitation.