petite bourgeoisie
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - Lower middle class: A social class comprising small business owners (such as shopkeepers), minor officials, clerical staff, and other white-collar workers who possess some property or capital but are not part of the large-scale capitalist class or the traditional proletariat. This group is often characterized by its social and economic aspirations, conservatism, and desire for respectability.
Usage
The term is used as a collective noun to describe this social stratum as a whole. - The policies of the new government appealed strongly to the petite bourgeoisie. - Sociologists have studied the voting patterns of the petite bourgeoisie. - The economic downturn threatened the livelihoods of the petite bourgeoisie.
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries sociological or political-economic connotations, analyzing the class's role between labor and major capital. It can imply a focus on social status, property ownership, and often political moderation.
- It is frequently used in contrast to terms like "grande bourgeoisie" (the capitalist class) and "proletariat" (the industrial working class).
Variants and Related Words
- Petit bourgeois (adjective or singular noun): Pertaining to the petite bourgeoisie or a member of it. Often used to describe attitudes perceived as conventionally middle-class, such as being overly concerned with social appearances and material possessions.
- He dismissed their concerns as petit bourgeois anxiety.
- She was a typical petit bourgeois, running her stationery shop.
Synonyms
- Lower middle class
- Petty bourgeoisie (a direct synonym with identical meaning)
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Shopkeeper class: A more descriptive, less formal term focusing on one typical occupation within this group.
- White-collar workers: A broader modern category that includes many roles found in the petite bourgeoisie but extends to salaried professionals in large corporations.
Noun
- lower middle class (shopkeepers and clerical staff etc.)