"The working class" - this phrase is relentless in American writing and social discourse. Particularly about how the Democrats failed to reach the "working class."
Whatever is it, anyway? "The working class" seems to me to be obsolete in the developed world in the 21st century. As a term, it originated in the 1700s, and by the late 18th century, European society's wealthy members used this term as a weapon against those at the bottom of society. "Working-class" became a derogatory expression for a host of social, moral and ethical failings. Even that this was a self-created problem, and I guess people deserved to be working class.
That was then. Starting in the late 19th century into the 20th century saw political unrest and change to rectify unfairness. Changes in social programs came about - consider in Canada that there is now health, pension, unemployment insurance and social support programs.
But something bothers me about the election analysis in the U.S. Who is this working class that the Democrats didn't seem to reach?
Are you ready for the definition? This from Wikipedia:
"Economists and pollsters in the United States generally define "working class" adults as those lacking a college degree, rather than by occupation or income. Other definitions refer to those in blue-collar occupations, despite the considerable range in required skills and income among such occupations... There is considerable ambiguity over the term's meaning."
Besides this education level, what seems to be the focus is differentiating between the working class and the middle class and analyzing the cultural qualities.
As I read through the Wikipedia coverage, it is all very detailed and theoretical. It seems to have spiralled into chaos. So I wonder who is going to come up with a new model to describe social groups. A re-look at class systems seems in order now. Gone will be this simple world of upper, working, and middle classes. What will it be? Maybe similar to the five social classes in the Philippines - rich, upper middle income, middle class, lower middle and low income, then poor.
Elevator only descending. That's the mood of voters everywhere. Or what about blue skies ahead, hopefully, maybe?
