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The Myth of The Middle Class

David Cowles

Oct 22, 2024

“I would argue that there are really four classes in the United States, not three, and that none of those classes is what is historically referred to as middle class.”

In America, everyone is ‘middle class’. My parents drilled it into us! They did so when we were borderline ‘poor’ and they did so when we were borderline ‘rich’. Over the course of my childhood, my parents traversed 80% of the economic spectrum, but we were always and only middle class


According to American folklore, there are three classes: Poor, Middle, Rich. Unfortunately, poverty in the United States is persistently above 10%. At the other end of the spectrum, even people in the 90th percentile don’t consider themselves rich. Today, rich is a term normally applied only to so-called one percenters, but that is probably too narrow. Presenting no evidence, I would suggest something like a 15-80-5 breakdown.


If I’m right, 80% of Americans self-identify as middle class. But I would argue that there are really four classes in the United States, not three, and that none of those classes is what is historically referred to as middle class


IRL, the 80% who identify with the Middle Class actually fall into one of two other classes: Lower Middle (LMC) or Upper Middle (UMC). ‘15-80-5’ is in fact ’15-60-0-20-5’. No wonder our politics are so interesting. 


But this is not mere sophistry! Neither LMC nor UMC exhibit the behaviors and values legendarily ascribed to the mythical middle class (MMC). It is more than just ironic that in a country where most folks consider themselves middle class, no such class exists.


It is said that ‘politics makes strange bedfellows’. Our analysis confirms this. Sometimes rich and poor battle as they did in Les Miserables, while other times rich and poor make common cause, as they also did in Les Mis


Looking at class this way shines an important light on American politics. If you identify as UMC, you probably have a four-year college degree, a white collar job with some management responsibility, a 401k, and a home you co-own with the bank. LMC…not so much.


Tragically, the poor in America form a semi-permanent underclass. Some of this is a function of history, some is the result of misguided social policies, and some, sadly, is self-inflicted. Either way, Jesus was right when he predicted, “The poor you will have always with you.” Folks in this class have a unique interest in public policy and tend to vote in blocks. 


The rich may be considered ‘satisfied’ – not with their marriages or their ‘krazy kids’ but with the quality of life in general. Yes, more is always better, but first, don’t lose what you’ve got. And make no mistake, threats are everywhere: from rapacious politicians to disruptive innovators to ambitious middle managers. 

UMC on the other hand is ‘satisficed’. Life is still full of stress and worry but ‘we’ve made it’…at least for now. UMC is focused on extracting as much value and pleasure from life as possible and supports public policies in line with that objective. These are the soccer moms, voting to increase teachers’ salaries, modernize library facilities, etc.


That leaves LMC, the wild card here…as I’m sure you’ve realized by now. And the fact that 60% fall into this category gives this class extraordinary political power. For LMC life is a perpetual struggle just to stay afloat! 


LMC are keenly aware that their share of the economic pie is disproportionately small; they aspire to be rich, but would settle for UMC, and some of them will achieve these goals. On the other hand, they already have just enough of the pie to be fiercely possessive. 


An analysis of class in America needs to consider not only class structure but also ‘class flow’. LMC dreams of being rich as they dread becoming poor. There’s a disproportionate focus on circumstances that do not yet and probably never will, but still might, apply. To make matters even more complex, the focus is not symmetrical.


The LMC political agenda may be understood as inspired or demonic; in fact, both characterizations can apply. Simply put: dig a moat between you and the poor while building handholds on the climbing wall to prosperity. Ugh! What an image!


Just like the quarterback who says, “Losing is not an option!” and so banishes negative thoughts from his mind, LMC ignores the prospect of poverty: It’s unthinkable! They are focused on the climb, not the fall, and they are surprisingly committed to making sure the brass ring will still be there, untarnished, when they get there.


LMC are suspicious. What if we put in all the work and make it out of Dodge only to find that someone has moved the goalposts? LMC are largely alienated from the political process. They don’t believe that public policy impacts their daily lives. On the other hand, they are aware that government has the power to bridge their moat and/or to grease the handholds on their climbing wall. 


Surprisingly, when LMC votes, it votes less as an interested party and more as self-appointed guardians of the American dream. And what about the Mythical Middle Class? Comfortable and secure. Hardworking but not greedy. Thrifty but generous. Family focused but tolerant. In other words, the Andersons and the Cleavers, not the Kramdens or the Bunkers. If you know any of these ‘typical Americans’ can you please let me know? (I have a team of anthropologists, with their go-bags packed, waiting on the tarmac.)


 


 

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