Les classes sociales

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Presentation

Did Jacques Ellul really write a book of pure sociology on one of the discipline’s central themes? The publication of this text on the theme of social classes is bound to surprise most of those who are familiar with his oeuvre.

This series of lectures, which were presented to students at the Bordeaux Institute of Political Science in the 1960’s, can be seen as an element of Ellul’s lifelong critical reflection on Marx’s oeuvre. What exactly are the social classes whose struggles Marx saw as the motor of history? What is their definition, number, evolution and current situation? Those are the kinds of questions Ellul answers, drawing on the most respected authors in the field from both sides of the Atlantic.

This book is completed with excerpts from four other books by Jacques Ellul: Histoires
 des institutions, Metamorphose du bourgeois, Les Nouveaux Possedés et Le Bluff technologique.

After a revelation that led him to Christianity and an intensive reading of Marx, Jacques Ellul studied law. He then devoted himself to reflection on the evolution of modern society. He noted the disappearance of rural life and the mechanization of man’s environment. He foresaw the magnitude of this ecological and social “great mutation”.

Considering that technique is the determining factor of modern society, he leads a critique of what he calls “technological tyranny”. He further analyses that technique self-increases, imposing its values of efficiency and technical progress, while denying man’s needs  and  culture as well as the nature.

Sociology is not his only field. His work is composed of theologian and historian output.  Some would also say that he is a philosopher, although he did not define himself as such. 

As a militant anarchist whose ideas are close to situationism, but also as a subtle commentator of Marxist thought and excesses, he was instrumental in the establishment of political ecology and reflections on Christian anarchism. He also wrote many theological works on the Gospel’s subversive and liberating aspects and on the “perversion” which the Christian revelation has suffered from. Some of his other works are thoughts on ethics and on hope.

Jacques Ellul can be considered as one of the fathers of the idea of rational economic decay and voluntary simplicity.

“Jacques Ellul, a true thinker” Royaliste

“A kind of clairvoyant who had already predict everything” Réforme

“His writings remained fiery, the prophet’s voice still resonates” La Croix