"The Theory of the Leisure Class"

The Rising Middle Class Theory

The Rising Middle Class Theory

The Rising Middle Class Theory is a concept developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their work The Communist Manifesto. This theory states that a rising middle class is essential for the development of a healthy economy, and it is likely to create conflicts between the working class and the wealthy upper-class. The idea behind this theory is that the middle class is the backbone of any economy, because it serves as a buffer between the working class and the wealthy upper-class. The middle class has more buying power than the working class and is able to purchase goods and services that the working class would not be able to obtain. This allows the middle class to have a direct and powerful influence on the economy.

The theory suggests that while the working class is the primary source of labor and production, the middle class is necessary to drive economic growth. Because of their increased buying power, the middle class are able to invest in businesses and purchase goods and services, which in turn stimulates the economy. This is important for economic growth and development because it helps increase the demand for products and services, as well as creating more jobs. It is also thought that the presence of a middle class may help distribute wealth among a wider portion of the population.

A healthy middle class can also help to create more political stability. As the middle class grows and gains more buying power, it can help to reduce the power of the wealthy upper-class, which can help to minimize the likelihood of inequality and create more economic and political stability. This can also help reduce the likelihood of a uprising, as a strong and secure middle class is less likely to be swayed by extreme ideologies.

The Rising Middle Class Theory is still relevant today and is used by economists to help explain the current state of the economy and the factors driving it. The idea of this theory is that a strong middle class is essential for a healthy economy and it can help to prevent inequality and create more political stability. It is important to note, however, that while this theory can be useful in understanding the current state of the economy, it has some shortcomings. It does not take into account the changing nature of economies and technologies, which can have a significant impact on the ability of the middle class to maintain their economic status. Furthermore, this theory does not take into account other social, cultural and political forces, which may also influence economic development.

The British author, E. P. Thompson in his book The Making of the English Working Class argued that a distinct middle class or middling sort existed within society during the eighteenth century. The book examines their lifestyle and mindset in relation to their social position and class consciousness.

The middling sort were neither a part of the landed gentry, nor the fully-formed proletariat, but a distinct third realm of the eighteenth century, typically falling between the two. They were generally younger sons and daughters of shopkeepers, farmers and wealthy artisans, who had enough money to afford an independent life, and could be employed in a range of occupations, such as merchant, middleman, lawyer or teacher. Although they had enough money to be independent, they lacked the personal connections, excessive wealth and political power of the gentry.

The economic strength of the middling sort rested on their ownership of small businesses, property and possessions. They would often provide goods and services, relying heavily on their own abilities rather than the inheritance of wealth or the assistance of servants. This meant they had more control over their lives than those in more traditionally hierarchical social classes, as well as a greater sense of ambition and determination. This was reflected in their attitudes to the landowning and aristocratic classes; the middling sort could be critical of the Old Order or esablish power structure of the day.

The philosophical and scientific ideas of the time provided additional grounding for the middling sorts independent stance. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Adam Smith provided an intellectual critique of the established aristocratic classes, and their influence was felt in a range of areas from politics to marriage and family life. Thompson argues that it was through ideas such as these that the middling sort developed a self-consciousness consciously different from that of the higher classes, and formed a distinct class identity.

However, while the middling sort were distinct from the upper class, there is evidence that they felt a sense of arrival at the higher levels of society and sought to emulate their customs and behaviour. Thompson claims that the middling sort adopted many of the same luxury goods - the books, furniture, fashion and food that the upper classes enjoyed - as a way of demonstrating their wealth and increasing their social standing.

Overall, the existence of the middling sort in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries reflects a distinct social class with defined characteristics and behaviours. They occupied a space between the elite and the working classes, providing a balance between the two. This distinct class also helped to shape the British class system as it is today, promoting at least some sense of equality and individual autonomy.