Political rhetoric often exaggerates the share of the middle class for the following key reasons: 1. Political Attracting and Mobilizing Ideal Electorate: The middle class is considered the backbone of a stable society and democracy. It is associated with hard work, responsibility, moderation, and law-abidingness. Universal Appeal: When a politician says he "works for the middle class," he is aiming to appeal to the widest possible range of voters, because most people identify as part of it, even if their financial situation does not meet strict economic definitions. No one wants to define themselves as "lower class." Conveying Stability: A large middle class creates an impression of social stability and economic prosperity, which is the goal of every government. 2. Blurring the Economic Definition Lack of Clarity: There is no single, universal definition of the middle class. Economists use criteria based on income relative to the median income (e.g., between 75% ...
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