About this product

Product Information

In modern Britain, the working class has become an object of fear and ridicule. From Little Britain's Vicky Pollard to the demonization of Jade Goody, media and politicians alike dismiss as feckless, criminalized and ignorant a vast, underprivileged swathe of society whose members have become stereotyped by one, hate-filled word: chavs. In this acclaimed investigation, Owen Jones explores how the working class has gone from salt of the earth to scum of the earth. Exposing the ignorance and prejudice at the heart of the chav caricature, he portrays a far more complex reality. The chav stereotype, he argues, is used by governments as a convenient figleaf to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems and to justify widening inequality. Based on a wealth of original research, Chavs is a damning indictment of the media and political establishment and an illuminating, disturbing portrait of inequality and class hatred in modern Britain. This updated edition includes a new chapter exploring the causes and consequences of the UK riots in the summer of 2010.

Product Identifiers

PublisherVerso Books

ISBN-101844678644

ISBN-139781844678648

eBay Product ID (ePID)113207885

Product Key Features

Book TitleChavs : the Demonization of the Working Class

Number of Pages320 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicSocial Classes & Economic Disparity, Public Policy / Cultural Policy, Europe / Great Britain / 21st Century, Europe / Great Britain / General

Publication Year2012

GenreHistory, Social Science, Political Science

AuthorOwen Jones

FormatPaperback

Dimensions

Item Height203 mm

Item Weight369 g

Item Length8 in

Item Width130 mm

Additional Product Features

Subject AreaSocial Organisations

Intended AudienceTrade

Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom

Ratings and reviews

Learn more

4.8

12 product ratings

10 users rated this 5 out of 5 stars
1 users rated this 4 out of 5 stars
1 users rated this 3 out of 5 stars
0 users rated this 2 out of 5 stars
0 users rated this 1 out of 5 stars

Would recommend

Good value

Compelling content

Most relevant reviews

See all 11 reviews

by nonidmes
22 Apr, 2020
Fascinating analysis of the British class system
I bought this for my daughter and she has been quoting from it so is definitely finding it really interesting. She has said that it has made her look at things differently. I plan to read it when she is finished. Highly recommended.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by dapea-5091
23 Apr, 2025
ESSENTIAL READING
Sadly, the people who should be reading this book will not do so: all the politicians and right-wing pundits who demonize members of the working class (DIVIDE AND CONQUER) for political gains. Owen argues succinctly and passionately to make his case. The Establishment is as corrupt as most sane people have always realised.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by samanthonyjones2011
28 Jun, 2017
A++
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by justwilliam*2011
05 Feb, 2020
You Need To Read This
Every British person should read this book. Unequalled in its research and wholly compelling in its conclusions.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by yaracat1
19 May, 2021
Best read in a long time!!
I read this years ago.. had to read it again, absolutely brilliant :)
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by ellalyons14
14 Apr, 2020
Great book, great price!
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by djil1310-c0qiv2
04 Feb, 2020
Very good book
Really interesting subject matter
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by suecraig
13 Jun, 2019
Jones at his best
Nice price quickly delivered
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by gaynaastley
22 Apr, 2020
Very good
Very good value for mobey
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by hray4qaulity
17 Sep, 2023
Very one-sided view
A more balanced discussion would have improved the book.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned