The Capability Threshold: Re-examining the Definition of the Middle Class in an Unequal Developing Country

Ronelle Burger, Camren McAravey and Servaas van der Berg ()

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 2017, vol. 18, issue 1, 89-106

Abstract: We argue that a multi-dimensional approach to categorizing the middle class is more appropriate for a polarized developing country and propose an alternative measurement rooted in the ideas of empowerment and capability. We find that the “empowered middle class” has expanded significantly since 1993 and also constitutes a larger share of vulnerable subgroups such as blacks, female-headed households and rural inhabitants. Differing trends between the middle class categorized based on income and based on capabilities are attributed to improved capabilities that have not been rewarded with a proportional increases in access to the labour market. It is disconcerting that links to the labour market improved only slightly and this is attributed to sluggish labour market growth and low quality of education. It is concerning that vulnerable individuals harbour unrealistically high expectations of the social mobility of their households and appear to not understand the determinants of social mobility and labour market prospects. This is attributed to heightened expectations following the political transition, but also the continued disconnection and marginalization of vulnerable subpopulations from the mainstream economy.

Date: 2017
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Related works:
Working Paper: The Capability Threshold: Re-examining the Definition of the Middle Class in an Unequal Developing Country (2015)
Working Paper: The Capability Threshold: Re-examining the definition of the middle class in an unequal developing country (2015)
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DOI: 10.1080/19452829.2016.1251402

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