Theoretical Basis for Studying the New Middle Class

Abstract

The aim of the article is to clarify the content of the economic category “the new middle class”, to define its specific features and basic functions. Various classification and functional characteristics of the middle class are given. The necessity of combining sociological and political-economic approaches to the definition of the middle class as a socio-status and socio-economic group is shown. Formation of the socio-economic type of the owner of intellectual capital is identified as the attributive feature of the middle class. A conclusion is drawn on the economic realization of the right to property for intellectual capital in the form of rent. It is proved that the formation of the new middle class reflects the objective orientation of social production to overcome social contradictions. However, the tendency to overcome the class antagonisms of previous social types does not reduce the depth of contradictions between labor and capital and does not indicate a change in the essence of capital. Attention is paid to the socio-cultural features of the new middle class, which are viewed through changes in the way and style of life, its motivational orientation to the post-economic value system is determined.

Keywords

• middle class
• new middle class
• knowledge economy
• socio-status group
• socio-economic group
• way of life
• post-economic motivation