Abstract

Individualist explanations are incompatible with (and inferior to) Marxist theories of class consciousness and class struggle. Individualist theory (which is static) reduces class consciousness and class struggle to a question of why specific individuals, at a specific place and time and concerning specific issues, would choose to cooperate. Marxist theory (which is dynamic) argues that experience teaches workers that only through cooperation can they further their own interests. The example of the 1991-1998 conflict between Caterpillar Inc. and its workers bears out this contrast. Repeatedly the workers would, at great risk to their individual material well-being, make stands in favor of solidarity