Notes on the Dramatic Career of a Concept: The Middle Class, Democracy, and the Anthropocene. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krishna, Sankaran
• Other Names: Krishna Sankaran guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Alternatives. Volume 40:Number 1(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: middle class -- democracy -- consumption -- neoliberalism -- Anthropocene; Globalization -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; Sociology -- Periodicals; 306.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0304375415581245
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3754

Abstract

The global middle class is frequently seen as a guarantor of democracy and its consumerism the basis for the next wave of growth in the world economy. This article questions both premises and suggests that middle classes are frequently the creation of state projects based on selective inclusions and exclusions, and their desired futures constitute a real threat to planetary sustainability at this point in time.