What is "Middle Class"? In Search for an Appropriate Concept
In the current debate the middle class of the Global South is identified as a new group of consumers and it is seen as the carrier of democratic values and societal progress. But we know that protagonists of a liberal democratic opposition as well as followers of radical religious groups and support...
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| Published in: | Middle East - Topics & Arguments |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Dataset Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Philipps-Universität Marburg
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Online Access View Record |
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| Summary: | In the current debate the middle class of the Global South is identified as a new group of consumers and it is seen as the carrier of democratic values and societal progress. But we know that protagonists of a liberal democratic opposition as well as followers of radical religious groups and supporters of the conservative authoritarian regimes are all part of the middle class. Obviously the middle class is not homogenous. Is the concept of middle class useful under these conditions? Are concepts of socio-cultural differentiation such as milieus or lifestyles applicable in the Global South even when cross-cutting elements like religion and ethnic identity play a much more important role than in Europe? |
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| DOI: | 10.17192/meta.2014.2.1330 |