Class theory and 'the meaning of work'

This chapter looks at how the concept of 'the meaning of work' relates to theories around class. It compares sociological views on class, which emphasise inequalities based on individuals's access to social, cultural and economic capital, with Marxist views on class rooted in an analysis of the social relations of production. It considers how these traditions may analyse 'meaning of work conflicts' differently, and illustrates these difference with reference to previous research in the creative industries and health care. This chapter also seeks to build a theoretical bridge between humanist and structuralist strands of Marxism, as a means of analysing the ideology of 'meaningful work'.