Africa's Middle Classes. Issue 2 (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melber, Henning
• Is Part Of: Afrika Spectrum. Volume 57:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 204
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Middle classes -- lifestyle -- identities -- urbanism -- boundary work; Mittelschichten -- Lifestyle -- Identitäten -- Stadtplanung -- Arbeit an den Rändern; Africa -- Periodicals; Afrique; Africa; Afrique; Periodicals; 960.05
• DOI: 10.1177/00020397221089352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0397

Abstract

Since the early 21st century, the middle classes of the Global South became a focus of attention. However, a precarious minimum income was all it took to be considered middle class. But who exactly is middle class? As the term is applied, it should certainly not be confused with Marxist theories of class. It refers to a socio-economic status somewhere between the highest and lowest echelons of society. What constitutes middle class remains all too nebulous. This article casts doubt on the positive political and economic impact and role ascribed to the declared growth of African middle classes. It argues that middle classness is a construct, which stresses the continued vagueness and fragility of this social segment in societies and cautions of too optimistic assessments when it comes to its role.