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Why do Americans call the 'working class' the 'middle class'???
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| George Smiley |
I read that in America, the middle class is anyone who is on an average income or below. Everywhere else in the world this is called the working class. Why is America different? Is it something to do with a fear of Marxism? (ie. the working class in America actually think they are middle class in a Marxist sense and therefore feel no need for a change?) Is it a trick to make people think they are wealthier than they are? What do you call the middle class?!
In the UK we generally have the following (loosely) defined classes...
Working class (lower-than-average income, unemployed)
Lower-middle class (average ish income)
Middle class (above average income/"petit bourgoise")
Upper class (rich bastards)
The majority of the country is made up of working class and lower-middle class people, but in America, I'm sure it is exactly the same make up, yet it seems you talk about middle class and...? So for the vast majority of the population, you give a term that, according to all political theory, does not apply to them?!
Have I got this right? |
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| NYGblue |
We have a weird way of classifying these things. Anyone above the poverty line is considered middle class.
But then we have lower middle, middle middle, and upper middle.
Then your standard elites. |
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| George Smiley |
| quote: | Originally posted by NYGblue
We have a weird way of classifying these things. Anyone above the poverty line is considered middle class.
But then we have lower middle, middle middle, and upper middle.
Then your standard elites. |
So you dont refer to anything whatsoever called the 'working class'?? |
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| NYGblue |
| quote: | Originally posted by George Smiley
So you dont refer to anything whatsoever called the 'working class'?? |
We have the blue collars sure... but that distinction isn't as pronounced as in England where class structure is probably considered a bit more important for historical cultural reasons. |
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| George Smiley |
| quote: | Originally posted by NYGblue
We have the blue collars sure... but that distinction isn't as pronounced as in England where class structure is probably considered a bit more important for historical cultural reasons. |
I dont suppose you have any idea why in America you have different terms do you? Or any ideas why it might be like that? |
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| NYGblue |
| quote: | Originally posted by George Smiley
I dont suppose you have any idea why in America you have different terms do you? Or any ideas why it might be like that? |
you say meter we say yard, you say kilometer we say mile... you say football and mean the sport where you can't use your hands we say football we mean the sport with the oblonge shaped ball.
I suppose it has to do with Americans always trying to do things differently from everyone else... ing s. :stongue: |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by George Smiley
Working class (lower-than-average income, unemployed) |
its pretty funny tho that someone in the working class can be unemployed... :p |
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| George Smiley |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
its pretty funny tho that someone in the working class can be unemployed... :p |
Hey, its not funny for them! Anyway, they get paid to be unemployed so they're earnin a wage still! Best time of my life on the dole a tell the! |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by George Smiley
Hey, its not funny for them! Anyway, they get paid to be unemployed so they're earnin a wage still! Best time of my life on the dole a tell the! |
well, fact still remains, the working class is not actually working.... |
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| George Smiley |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
well, fact still remains, the working class is not actually working.... |
They are workers in reserve according to Marx and are therefore refered to as being the same class as the workers...:p |
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| St_Andrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by George Smiley
They are workers in reserve according to Marx and are therefore refered to as being the same class as the workers...:p |
oh now it makes sense :p
i love your sig btw, life of brian eh?
me  monthy python |
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| George Smiley |
| quote: | Originally posted by St_Andrew
oh now it makes sense :p
i love your sig btw, life of brian eh?
me monthy python |
Yes one of the greatest films of all times and most likely banned in most parts of America! |
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