class caste and color a social and economic history of the south african western cape
p this volume is the first general social and economic history of the western cape of south africa . until recently this region had been largely neglected by historians because it does not occupy a central place in the national political economy . wilmot g. james and mary simons argue 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 . p the western cape is the only region of south africa to have experienced slavery . in this sense the western cape has historical traditions more akin to colonial slave societies of the americas than to those of the rest of africa . moreover in contrast to the rest of south africa a proletariat emerged in the western cape early in its history at the start of the eighteenth century . 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 . p the book is arranged thematically and explores the social and economic consequences of slavery and emancipation in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries . issues of economy and labor such as economic underdevelopment in the western cape the labor market and trade union organization in the twentieth century are examined . the authors also treat the role of the state in shaping western cape society . class caste and color is not only a groundbreaking work in the study of south africa but provides an agenda for future researchers . it will be essential reading for historians economists and africa area specialists . p wilmot g. james is the executive director of the africa genome education institute . he has taught at the university of cape town yale university and indiana university . mary simons is a senior lecturer in the department of political studies at the university of cape town . her research interests include social relations in cape town gender politics and third world comparative politics .