The middle class in contemporary South Africa: Comparing rival approaches

Ronelle Burger (), Cindy Lee Steenekamp (), Servaas van der Berg () and Asmus Zoch
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Cindy Lee Steenekamp: Department of Political Science, University of Stellenbosch

No 11/2014, Working Papers from Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics

Abstract: In the light of the economic, political and social significance of the middle class for South Africa’s emerging democracy, we critically examine contrasting conceptualisa-tions of social class. We compare four rival approaches to empirical estimation of class: an occupational skill measure, a vulnerability indictor, an income polarisation approach and subjective social status. There is considerable variation in who is classified as middle class based on the definition that is employed and, in particular, a marked difference between subjective and objective notions of social class. We caution against overoptimistic predictions based on the growth of the black middle class. While the surge in the black middle class is expected to help dismantle the association between race and class in South Africa, the analysis suggests that notions of identity may adjust more slowly to these new realities and consequently, racial integration and social cohesion may emerge with a substantial lag.

Keywords: middle class; social class; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D31 I31 J15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ltv and nep-pol
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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