Chavs cover art

Chavs

The Demonization of the Working Class

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Chavs

By: Owen Jones
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
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About this listen

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 fig leaf to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems and to justify widening inequality. When Chavs was first published in 2011 it opened up the discussion of class in Britain. Then, in the public debate after the riots of that summer, Owen Jones's thesis was proved right - the working class were the scapegoats for everything that was wrong with Britain. This new edition includes a new chapter, reflecting on the overwhelming response to the book and the situation in Britain today.

©2016 Owen Jones (P)2017 Audible, Ltd
Europe Great Britain Politics & Government Social Classes & Economic Disparity Social Policy Social Sciences Sociology Socialism Thought-Provoking Capitalism Economic Inequality Economic disparity Social justice Taxation Government

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Most relevant

What did you like most about Chavs?

A useful retrospective of Britain at the point this book came out (which important forewords to update) covering some things that are still fresh in my memory and others I had forgotten.

What did you like best about this story?

After reading The Establishment when it came out, I especially liked this book as an insight into Jones' earlier work and the evolution of his views.

Delighted this is finally on Audible!

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A book with more than a ring of truth about it! Read this book if you want to know how this country got into the mess it is in!

A must read!

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Very good read and gives plenty to think about. Chavs puts the influence of class squarely as a major theme, because ultimately this is the biggest factor in life opportunities, with the working class right at the bottom with very little indeed.

Brilliant.

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I am so glad I read this book, I just wish everyone else would.

I have always believed the points in this book and everyone seems blinkered to 'the demonization of the working class' that it is good to finally read a book that has views i agree with.

Thank you for writing this book.

eye opening

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i was quite conflicted by the is book with its blame Thatcher and Blair for everything from the relative safe haven and comfort of "opposition politics" screaming out all the problems yet offering none of the workable solutions.

Is it any wonder that political discourse is in the gutter when it boils down to Tory Toffs vs "salt of the earth downtrodden working class diamond" stereotypes being continually played off against each other.

There has to be better (p)political analysis, thought leadership and future leadership than this, please .................

Depressing hate & blame diatribe with no answers

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