I always find it amazing to read articles from the right (center to radical) wing point of view. Where they blithely announce that the middle class is growing.
Let’s get real. The classic definition of the middle class proves how this cannot be so: The middle class is the middle 20% of the economic strata of a nation. Or, if we want to lump the whole world together, the middle 20% of the world’s economic strata.
We can stretch the definition a little, as many on both sides of the spectrum are wont to do. By declaring that the middle 40% is middle class. In the US, that can almost make sense, since the bottom 20% have long been defined as living at or below the poverty level. But, using this larger grouping also means the second someone escapes from poverty, they are miraculously in the middle class. (I would at least call them the lower middle class.)
But, when folks claim the world’s (or the US’) middle class is growing? How is that possible? (It IS possible that those in the middle class have rising incomes. Which, unfortunately, is not true for the US.) Because if the world’s (or US’) economic strength is increasing, it simply means the rich are getting richer, the middle class is getting richer, and the poor- well, they’re just the poor. (Here’s but one recent example of the false claims as published in the Wall Street Journal.)
I admit that if I were (heaven forbid) making $ 20,000 in the US, I’d be poor. But, if I were able to make that same amount in Guatemala, I’d be living high on the hog (at least the top 10%- current figures to hone in at exactly what strata are not really available.)
It is true that half the world no longer exists on the brink of starvation- which by World Bank definition comes to about $ 3 a day (or $ 1000 a year). Thankfully, or is that mercifully, only about 9% of the world’s position is so imprisoned.
But, that does not mean the middle class is growing. It means that nations (or non-governmental organizations) are working to ensure that folks have a chance to survive. (Unless, of course, one is in Yemen or another of the war-torn countries.)
Moreover, the bulk of the change in the poor has occurred in China since 1978. India has also had major improvements for its poorer citizenry in the past decade.
But, to pick an a priori number range (as Homi Kharas [Brookings Institution] and Kristofer Hamel [World Data Lab] did) does not change the facts on the ground. Oh, sure, it’s nice to know that if we examine the world, seeking out those that earn between $ 11 and $ 110 a day (in 2011 dollars) [which works out to $ 4105 to $ 40150 a year], we can see that covers 3.8 billion people- or ½ the world’s population.
But, consider this basic fact. Half of that range would render you below the poverty line in the US. So, sure, someone may not be starving to death, but not starving does not mean one should be classified as middle class.
No, it simply is a means to close one’s eyes to the problems that exist in this world, to make believe that corporations paying their executives 400X what they pay their staff, or allowing political appointees in the US receive a $ 10,000 raise while 800,000 folks are furloughed and at least that number of contractors are losing at least 7% of the annual income which will never be made up- regardless of when and if TheDonald signs the bills that reopen the government (passed by the House and matching the bills passed by the Senate in 2018).
After all, TheDonald considers it honorable [like he knows what honorable is] to keep the furlough going for even a year.
I completely agree that it’s away to make things sound better than they are. And you’re right – not starving doesn’t count as middle class.
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Jeanine!
Poverty, middle class and rich are definitions which change according to the part of the world you are in. Rose is thus hardly a rose everywhere then. Great post
Rose, Shoshana, Roza… The word changes around the world. It steal means the same thing- the middle 20%.
Thanks for the visit, Dr. Amrita!
I see a lot of people struggling. Young people imprisioned by student debt. Many people fearful for their jobs. And a small number of people doing really well. Just my experience.
It’s not just your experience, Alana. It’s the data!
Thanks for an interesting post. As they say, we live in interesting times.
Barb recently posted..If you want readers make your blog titles eye-catching
Glad to keep you interested, Barbara!
Call a spade a spade, to use another cliche. Corporate America, no matter what folks want to call it, is basically a caste system. And folks believe these statistics they’re fed by the sources you mentioned. Scary isn’t it? Scary how gullible the populace is. But that’s another subject.
The definition of middle class is not one provided by Corporate America. Although, they clearly provide the masses that populate the middle class.
I agree that it’s a caste system, too.
I worry about the younger generation who are trying to whittle down their student loans while supporting a family at the same time. Even holding down a good job, sometimes that’s not enough to even make it to middle class.
That is the real issue, Martha. The powers that be have made the American Dream the American chimera!
Roy, what is your definition of the American Dream? It’s a subject I’ve been pondering: Whatever happened to the American Dream?
A good point, Debra.
I did forget to provide a link to where I first defined what I think the American Dream is and should be. https://www.adjuvancy.com/wordpress/american-dream-20/
Which is why I have an extensive index for my blog. So, one can see what I define, what I consider. Because, as opposed to many others [especially in politics], I stand by my credo.
You certainly do your homework, Roy. I read your post on the American Dream. Good article. “When did the American Dream become perverted to deny dignity and worth of each individual?” Perhaps American values are at fault. When it became about material success something happened, I imagine. In the early 1900s when my in-laws came here from Lebanon it was about independence. Anyway, I appreciate your engaging the reader and answering questions the way you do. Thank you! Always a pleasure to read your work.
No, American Values are good. The perversion has been by a certain political party that believes cronyism is more important; not only to line their pockets (party, and way too often personal).
It’s long past time to take things back. Are you willing to join me?
How would you propose taking things back? You can always address this in a future post and elaborate. I’m all ears.
Well, my plans have been outlined over the past few years in my blog. There will be more soon, Debra. I’ll let you know as they appear.
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