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Class Structure in Australian History: Documents, Narrative and Argument
Beginning with a theoretical chapter on class analysis and history, this book explores the development of class relations and the transformation of the ruling class from 1788 to 1975. Taken together the narrative and documents offer a radical reinterpretation of Australian history. The authors argue that the concept of class analysis is essential to an understanding not only of Australian history but of the issues and problems that confront Australian society today, and of the forms of action required for social change.
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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About the author
Raewyn W. Connell
46 books97 followersRaewyn Connell (also known as R.W. Connell and Robert W. Connell) is an Australian sociologist. She gained prominence as an intellectual of the Australian New Left. She is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of Sydney and known for the concept of hegemonic masculinity and southern theory.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 21, 2026
A detailed historical narrative of the development of capitalism in Australia from 1788 to 1975.
The British state was the sole driving force in establishing capitalist relations through its colonisation of the continent. From the British Officers and Gentry emerged the first capitalists and landowners. From the transported convicts emerged the working class. The state secured the conditions for capital accumulation and its reproduction.
The ruling class initially developed along two lines. The pastoralists and squatters supported protection of wool prices and the continuation of transportation for cheap convict labour. The urban mercantile bourgeoisie supported free trade and the establishment of a "free" labour market for exploitation.
The working class was concentrated in primary industry. The organisation and unionisation of workers that began in the 1850s reached a peak in the 1890s with the Maritime and Shearers strikes. The upsurge of steuggle was defeated under leadership from the trade union beaureucracy. The Labor party emerged as a political representation of the workers' movement in the state.
The working class challenege also led to better organisation of the capitalist class, formimg employers organisations in the 1880s. The depression laid the basis for a centralisation of the state and the acceptance of its intervention into the economy to direct accumulation and contain workers' struggle.
The First World War laid the basis for Australia to begin industrialising. Manufacturing and heavy industry cemented the hegemony of the industrial capitalist class. Labour centralised into big cities with the establishment of large working class neighbourhoods. The Second World War accelerated the process and allowed for recovery from the 1930s depression.
Socialism was a minority current in the movement forced out by the Labor party leaders. The Communist party of 1920 was no more than a small propaganda group. Stalinisation was cemented by 1929 which stopped it from ever playing a revolutionary role in Australian politics.
The post war boom allowed for the reorganisation of the ruling class behind Menzies' Liberal party. The working class neighbourhood was replaced with suburban sprawl. The stock market expanded and exploded, the first office buildings were erected in major cities, the nuclear family and home became the centre of politics, American capital replaced British.
The Whitlam government was elected off the back of world wide turbulence in the capitalist system. The conservatives had been dislocated by the long boom and were unable to deal with the upsurge in working class struggle at the end of the 1960s. But after the collapse of the long boom in 1974, it appeared to the ruling class that Fraser was more willing to directly attack wages and restore profits.
The British state was the sole driving force in establishing capitalist relations through its colonisation of the continent. From the British Officers and Gentry emerged the first capitalists and landowners. From the transported convicts emerged the working class. The state secured the conditions for capital accumulation and its reproduction.
The ruling class initially developed along two lines. The pastoralists and squatters supported protection of wool prices and the continuation of transportation for cheap convict labour. The urban mercantile bourgeoisie supported free trade and the establishment of a "free" labour market for exploitation.
The working class was concentrated in primary industry. The organisation and unionisation of workers that began in the 1850s reached a peak in the 1890s with the Maritime and Shearers strikes. The upsurge of steuggle was defeated under leadership from the trade union beaureucracy. The Labor party emerged as a political representation of the workers' movement in the state.
The working class challenege also led to better organisation of the capitalist class, formimg employers organisations in the 1880s. The depression laid the basis for a centralisation of the state and the acceptance of its intervention into the economy to direct accumulation and contain workers' struggle.
The First World War laid the basis for Australia to begin industrialising. Manufacturing and heavy industry cemented the hegemony of the industrial capitalist class. Labour centralised into big cities with the establishment of large working class neighbourhoods. The Second World War accelerated the process and allowed for recovery from the 1930s depression.
Socialism was a minority current in the movement forced out by the Labor party leaders. The Communist party of 1920 was no more than a small propaganda group. Stalinisation was cemented by 1929 which stopped it from ever playing a revolutionary role in Australian politics.
The post war boom allowed for the reorganisation of the ruling class behind Menzies' Liberal party. The working class neighbourhood was replaced with suburban sprawl. The stock market expanded and exploded, the first office buildings were erected in major cities, the nuclear family and home became the centre of politics, American capital replaced British.
The Whitlam government was elected off the back of world wide turbulence in the capitalist system. The conservatives had been dislocated by the long boom and were unable to deal with the upsurge in working class struggle at the end of the 1960s. But after the collapse of the long boom in 1974, it appeared to the ruling class that Fraser was more willing to directly attack wages and restore profits.
July 9, 2025
I'm not knowledgeable enough about Australian history to critique the arguments in this book. However, from what I can gather, this was an excellent book, one of the best history books I have ever read. In large part this is because of the inclusion of the dozens and dozens of fascinating primary source documents like letters from people from all walks of life, reports from government officials, doctors, inspectors, magistrates, letters to the editor, budgets, campaigning plans, photos, syllabi, and the list goes on.
Alongside this is a very comprehensive history of different class groupings in Australia and how these changed and who constituted them when and where and where the balance of power changed and how. Because so much ground is covered many historical events or theories are referenced in passing, and would need various amounts of investigation to catch up on for the uninitiated reader such as myself.
Alongside this is a very comprehensive history of different class groupings in Australia and how these changed and who constituted them when and where and where the balance of power changed and how. Because so much ground is covered many historical events or theories are referenced in passing, and would need various amounts of investigation to catch up on for the uninitiated reader such as myself.
January 20, 2022
Useful history of class relations especially in terms of colonial era Australia
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews