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The Making of an Atlantic Ruling Class
With The Making of an Atlantic Ruling Class, Kees van der Pijl put class formation at the heart of our understanding of world politics and the global economy. This landmark study dissects one of the most decisive phenomena of the twentieth century—the rise of an Atlantic ruling class of multinational banks and corporations. A new preface by the author evaluates the book’s significance in the light of recent political and economic developments.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 1985
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About the author
Kees van der Pijl
24Ìýbooks20ÌýfollowersDutch political scientist who was professor of international relations at the University of Sussex.
He is known for his critical approach to global political economy.
Van der Pijl has claimed that Israelis brought down the Twin Towers during the 9/11 attacks 'with help from Zionists in the US government'.
He is known for his critical approach to global political economy.
Van der Pijl has claimed that Israelis brought down the Twin Towers during the 9/11 attacks 'with help from Zionists in the US government'.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 28, 2018
For me, this is one of those extraordinary books that cause the scales to fall from your eyes and reshape the way you see the world. Dutch International Relations scholar Kees van der Pijl maps out the history, people, structures, and events leading to the formation of a postwar Atlantic ruling class, that is, the hegemonic bloc of developed-nation capitalist power dominant during the postwar period, the so-called "golden age of capitalism" of strong growth, full employment, and the Keynesian welfare state. The book was completed at the beginning of the 80s, just as this hegemonic bloc was unraveling due to the multiple crises of profitability that began to beset capital accumulation (chiefly the oil shock, increased labor militancy, and falling rates of profit) during the 70s, thus leading to the neoliberal regime of capital accumulation signaled by the elections of Thatcher and Reagan that we remain mired in today. It thus enables us to see clearly that the neoliberal regime of accumulation or hegemonic bloc is not unprecedented in its characteristic effects.
The most remarkable feature of the book is the wealth of detail van der Pijl musters in order to make his case that the old regime of accumulation based on the ideology of classical liberalism (free trade, free markets, limited government), hegemonized by the interests of finance capital, gave way after a long and difficult struggle involving two World Wars to the then-current postwar settlement, hegemonized by industrial capital, rising wages indexed to productivity increases underpinning mass consumption, and worker's protections. He thus allows the reader to see very clearly not only how Gramsci's concept of hegemony works, but also the cultural practices that underpin each regime of accumulation.
In the Marxian tradition, there has often been a conflict between those who claim that financial and industrial capital are both moments of the overall system of capitalism, and that making distinctions between them is counterproductive and misleading; and those who claim that such a distinction is decisive for strategic reasons and for the different ways each appear. Van der Pijl makes a strong case for the second view, because he shows clearly that what matters is not the location of each moment within the complete circuit of capital (the oft-remarked spheres of circulation and production), but how the income streams characteristic of each regime of accumulation are distributed, thus forming the economic basis for the distinctive kinds of social antagonism peculiar to each regime of accumulation.
Even though the moment for which this book was written has passed, it remains relevant today, particularly since it shows very clearly the socially constructed nature of the classical liberal and neoliberal regimes of accumulation, even though liberal and neoliberal ideology regard them as eternal verities based in nature. This ideological critical function is extremely useful for our present conjuncture as we attempt to find our way out of our current neoliberal malaise. Another notable feature is van der Pijl's command of political economy, naming names and identifying relevant firms and economic sectors where others traffic in generalities. A must read. You will be astonished.
The most remarkable feature of the book is the wealth of detail van der Pijl musters in order to make his case that the old regime of accumulation based on the ideology of classical liberalism (free trade, free markets, limited government), hegemonized by the interests of finance capital, gave way after a long and difficult struggle involving two World Wars to the then-current postwar settlement, hegemonized by industrial capital, rising wages indexed to productivity increases underpinning mass consumption, and worker's protections. He thus allows the reader to see very clearly not only how Gramsci's concept of hegemony works, but also the cultural practices that underpin each regime of accumulation.
In the Marxian tradition, there has often been a conflict between those who claim that financial and industrial capital are both moments of the overall system of capitalism, and that making distinctions between them is counterproductive and misleading; and those who claim that such a distinction is decisive for strategic reasons and for the different ways each appear. Van der Pijl makes a strong case for the second view, because he shows clearly that what matters is not the location of each moment within the complete circuit of capital (the oft-remarked spheres of circulation and production), but how the income streams characteristic of each regime of accumulation are distributed, thus forming the economic basis for the distinctive kinds of social antagonism peculiar to each regime of accumulation.
Even though the moment for which this book was written has passed, it remains relevant today, particularly since it shows very clearly the socially constructed nature of the classical liberal and neoliberal regimes of accumulation, even though liberal and neoliberal ideology regard them as eternal verities based in nature. This ideological critical function is extremely useful for our present conjuncture as we attempt to find our way out of our current neoliberal malaise. Another notable feature is van der Pijl's command of political economy, naming names and identifying relevant firms and economic sectors where others traffic in generalities. A must read. You will be astonished.
September 26, 2021
The problem with this book is that it sounds convincing, until you actually check the facts and sources (as is always the case with conspiracy theories.)
Van der Pijl's Marxist hypothesis is held together by a multitude of assumptions and deductions which simply are not borne out by the facts. Take for instance his claim that the British navy secured sea routes with the express intention of opening them up for commerce, or the accusation that industrialists in the USA instigated race riots in order to divide the workforce. This might seem plausible the way the author tells it, but the facts and sources just never support such far-reaching conclusions. Almost every page contains some such conclusion without enough basis in facts. Once you realise this, the whole argument of the book pretty much falls apart.
Also quite bothering but typical of Marxist authors like Van Der Pijl is his "blame the West/America first" reflex, consistently deploring the imperialistic and interventionist tendencies of Western countries/elites, but remaining almost completely silent about the actions of the USSR and their communist allies.
What I find sad and worrying is that such a book -basically blood-red Marxist conspiracy theory- seems to be taken seriously in academic circles. Partly the reason for this is ideological, but I suspect some of the reviewers might also just need to do more basic research on the subjects of this book before believing everything in it; the fact that something sounds true does not automatically mean it actually is true.
Van der Pijl's Marxist hypothesis is held together by a multitude of assumptions and deductions which simply are not borne out by the facts. Take for instance his claim that the British navy secured sea routes with the express intention of opening them up for commerce, or the accusation that industrialists in the USA instigated race riots in order to divide the workforce. This might seem plausible the way the author tells it, but the facts and sources just never support such far-reaching conclusions. Almost every page contains some such conclusion without enough basis in facts. Once you realise this, the whole argument of the book pretty much falls apart.
Also quite bothering but typical of Marxist authors like Van Der Pijl is his "blame the West/America first" reflex, consistently deploring the imperialistic and interventionist tendencies of Western countries/elites, but remaining almost completely silent about the actions of the USSR and their communist allies.
What I find sad and worrying is that such a book -basically blood-red Marxist conspiracy theory- seems to be taken seriously in academic circles. Partly the reason for this is ideological, but I suspect some of the reviewers might also just need to do more basic research on the subjects of this book before believing everything in it; the fact that something sounds true does not automatically mean it actually is true.
December 13, 2024
Kees van der Pijl’s The Making of an Atlantic Ruling Class is a seminal work of Marxist political economy that offers a penetrating analysis of the formation and evolution of transnational capitalist elites in the Atlantic world. Originally published in 1984, the book examines how the post-World War II economic order was shaped by the rise of a ruling class that transcends national boundaries, rooted in the shared interests of corporate and political elites in North America and Western Europe. Van der Pijl’s study is both a critique of global capitalism and an exploration of its mechanisms, making it a foundational text for scholars of international political economy and critical theory.
The book’s central thesis is that the Atlantic ruling class emerged from the integration of economic, political, and ideological structures across the Atlantic world. Van der Pijl argues that this class formation was driven by the necessity of coordinating capitalist interests during a period of crisis and reconstruction. He traces the development of this ruling class through key historical moments, including the interwar years, the postwar reconstruction era, and the institutionalization of transatlantic alliances such as NATO and the Bretton Woods system.
A key strength of Van der Pijl’s analysis is its historical materialist framework, which emphasizes the dialectical relationship between economic structures and class agency. Drawing on Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, the book explores how the Atlantic ruling class established its dominance not only through economic power but also through the construction of ideological and cultural consent. Institutions such as the Trilateral Commission and the Bilderberg Group, as well as the spread of neoliberal ideas, are examined as mechanisms of this hegemonic project.
Van der Pijl also pays close attention to the dynamics of competition and conflict within the ruling class. He identifies distinct fractions of capital—industrial, financial, and corporate—that often pursue divergent interests, leading to internal tensions. These tensions, however, are managed through processes of compromise and integration that sustain the overall coherence of the ruling class. The book’s analysis of these intra-class dynamics adds depth to its account of transnational capitalist governance.
The book’s empirical richness is another notable feature. Van der Pijl combines historical narrative with detailed case studies of key institutions and actors. His research highlights the role of American dominance in shaping the Atlantic ruling class while also acknowledging the agency of European elites in negotiating their place within this transatlantic structure. The result is a nuanced account that avoids simplistic notions of imperialism or dependency.
However, The Making of an Atlantic Ruling Class is not without its challenges. The theoretical density of the text may be daunting for readers unfamiliar with Marxist or Gramscian terminology. While Van der Pijl’s use of these frameworks is rigorous, his writing occasionally assumes a level of prior knowledge that may limit the accessibility of the book to a broader audience. Furthermore, some of the empirical examples, particularly those drawn from the 1970s and early 1980s, feel dated in light of subsequent developments in global capitalism, such as the rise of China and the globalization of production chains.
Despite these limitations, the book’s relevance endures. Its analysis of the transnational integration of elites provides valuable insights into the workings of global capitalism and the persistence of inequality. Moreover, Van der Pijl’s focus on the ideological dimensions of class formation remains particularly pertinent in an era of rising populism and challenges to neoliberal hegemony.
In conclusion, The Making of an Atlantic Ruling Class is a landmark contribution to the study of international political economy and class analysis. Kees van der Pijl’s synthesis of historical materialism, Gramscian theory, and empirical investigation offers a compelling framework for understanding the structures and dynamics of capitalist power in the Atlantic world. This book is essential reading for scholars and students of political economy, globalization, and critical theory, as well as for anyone interested in the historical processes that continue to shape the global order.
GPT
The book’s central thesis is that the Atlantic ruling class emerged from the integration of economic, political, and ideological structures across the Atlantic world. Van der Pijl argues that this class formation was driven by the necessity of coordinating capitalist interests during a period of crisis and reconstruction. He traces the development of this ruling class through key historical moments, including the interwar years, the postwar reconstruction era, and the institutionalization of transatlantic alliances such as NATO and the Bretton Woods system.
A key strength of Van der Pijl’s analysis is its historical materialist framework, which emphasizes the dialectical relationship between economic structures and class agency. Drawing on Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, the book explores how the Atlantic ruling class established its dominance not only through economic power but also through the construction of ideological and cultural consent. Institutions such as the Trilateral Commission and the Bilderberg Group, as well as the spread of neoliberal ideas, are examined as mechanisms of this hegemonic project.
Van der Pijl also pays close attention to the dynamics of competition and conflict within the ruling class. He identifies distinct fractions of capital—industrial, financial, and corporate—that often pursue divergent interests, leading to internal tensions. These tensions, however, are managed through processes of compromise and integration that sustain the overall coherence of the ruling class. The book’s analysis of these intra-class dynamics adds depth to its account of transnational capitalist governance.
The book’s empirical richness is another notable feature. Van der Pijl combines historical narrative with detailed case studies of key institutions and actors. His research highlights the role of American dominance in shaping the Atlantic ruling class while also acknowledging the agency of European elites in negotiating their place within this transatlantic structure. The result is a nuanced account that avoids simplistic notions of imperialism or dependency.
However, The Making of an Atlantic Ruling Class is not without its challenges. The theoretical density of the text may be daunting for readers unfamiliar with Marxist or Gramscian terminology. While Van der Pijl’s use of these frameworks is rigorous, his writing occasionally assumes a level of prior knowledge that may limit the accessibility of the book to a broader audience. Furthermore, some of the empirical examples, particularly those drawn from the 1970s and early 1980s, feel dated in light of subsequent developments in global capitalism, such as the rise of China and the globalization of production chains.
Despite these limitations, the book’s relevance endures. Its analysis of the transnational integration of elites provides valuable insights into the workings of global capitalism and the persistence of inequality. Moreover, Van der Pijl’s focus on the ideological dimensions of class formation remains particularly pertinent in an era of rising populism and challenges to neoliberal hegemony.
In conclusion, The Making of an Atlantic Ruling Class is a landmark contribution to the study of international political economy and class analysis. Kees van der Pijl’s synthesis of historical materialism, Gramscian theory, and empirical investigation offers a compelling framework for understanding the structures and dynamics of capitalist power in the Atlantic world. This book is essential reading for scholars and students of political economy, globalization, and critical theory, as well as for anyone interested in the historical processes that continue to shape the global order.
GPT
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