Editorial - Erosion of the Middle Class?

Abstract

Status, development, function, and characteristics of middle positions (middle class, middle strata, middle-income group) in society are well discussed in sociology. Whether there is an erosion of these positions and what the consequences of this development for societies are is quite controversial. On the one hand, the middle positions in society are generally considered to be of major importance for the stability of a society, the economic development, and for democracy in general.(e.g., Lipset 1959). On the other hand, and much less discussed, is what happens when changes within social structure take place, especially in countries that are used to having or used to being characterized by a strong middle class. Most recent research picks up such issues of change within social structure and questions the above-mentioned characteristics and functions of the positions in the middle of society for society’s stability. For example, Zick, Küpper und Berghahn (2019) state the following in their book Verlorene Mitte – Feindselige Zustände (Lost Center Hostile Conditions):