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What is "the middle class?" (hexbear.net)

submitted 2 weeks ago by GoodGuyWithACat@hexbear.net to c/askchapo@hexbear.net

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I've heard that the middle class doesn't exist, but I've also heard that the rising middle class was necessary for capitalism. Is there a principled definition, because China seems concerned about growing their middle class.

What does it mean to you, I guess?

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[–] CptKrkIsClmbngThMntn@hexbear.net 7 points 2 weeks ago

To add to the answers in this thread, I'd argue there are a significant number of people who identify that way because they have a level of financial security that comes from home or land ownership and is dependent on that land appreciating in value.

That's not guaranteed to last forever, but it does meaningfully separate them from those who are fully reliant on wage labour to meet all their material needs.