The subject of the book is the critical analysis of the foundation of the theory of social classes and the discussion of classes and social structure from the mid-19th century to the end of the 1920s-1930s.
Within this framework, the work is examined and the contribution of thinkers and analysts who hold a distinct position in the history of social thought is evaluated. Specifically, the work of K. Marx, F. Engels, V. Pareto, M. Weber, W. Sombart, Th. Veblen, K. Kautsky, E. Bernstein, R. Luxemburg, V.I. Lenin, J. Schumpeter, and P. Sorokin is studied. Their main positions and contradictions regarding the concept of class, the form of social structure, the terms of perception and criteria for recognizing social groups, issues of social action, and the relationship between social classes are analyzed. The processing of these perspectives leads to the opinion that they continue to influence contemporary discussions and be present in the considerations related to the organization and choices of our society. It also suggests that these approaches have their own contribution, beyond the field of theoretical research, in shaping social realities. In this sense, class analyses, beyond the obvious relationship with political analysis, are factors in the formation of strategies that have been tested in past projects and applications, even recently. It is possible, therefore, that a combination of proposals from class analyses and application projects will be presented in the future.