Class systems are typically explained in terms of the unequal distribution of material resources and of power inequalities based on unequal material conditions. A diffculty arises, however, when appropriate material conditions fail to give rise to correspondingly expected class actions. In this chapter an account of class resentment more completely links class conditions and actions. Not only does an emotions category therefore expand the competence of class theory, but a macroscopic conceptualization of emotion is also outlined in the discussion.

The chapter begins with a brief account of the way in which resentment has been presented in sociological thought. There is also a statement of the problems of class theory. The importance of emotion to social action is indicated, and of resentment to class action. Then follows an exposition of the neglected account of class antagonism in terms of “resentment against inequality” developed by the English sociologist T. H. Marshall. Marshall's discussion is shown to be important but incomplete, and Marshall's account is broadened in various ways.

One important element of this is to show that actions of a class nature arise not simply from the inequalities between classes, but also within them. Especially important in this latter category are inequalities resulting from the differential movements of real-income groups through the different phases of the business or trade cycle. It is shown that experiences of class resentment vary in terms of ascendence or descendence through trade-cycle movements.