Class, Caste and Color A Social and Economic History of the South African Western Cape

This volume is the first general social and economic history of the Western Cape of South Africa. Until now, this region had been largely neglected by historians because it does not occupy a central place in the national political economy. The argument of this book is that a great deal about modern South Africa has been shaped by the distinctive society and economy of the Western Cape. Its history also reveals striking parallels and contrasts with other regions of the African continent. In the Western Cape, there developed a much more stable and enduring system of class and labor relations. In the twentieth century, these became closely enmeshed with race and status. Racial paternalism and the close correlation between class, caste, and color have their historical roots in the Western Cape.James, Wilmot G. is the author of 'Class, Caste and Color A Social and Economic History of the South African Western Cape' with ISBN 9781560000358 and ISBN 156000035X.