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Malaise in the Western Middle Classes

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  • Louis Chauvel
  • Anne Hartung

Abstract

The living conditions and well-being of the middle class are traditionally considered an expression of how society is progressing. Yet growing inequality and the polarization of incomes observed in Western countries due to globalization, the recession and rapid technological change, is leading to what has been described as a “malaise of the middle class”. This article presents the evolution of the income distribution in selected Western countries and discusses the possible impact of the threat created by downward mobility and the erosion of the middle class in today's society.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis Chauvel & Anne Hartung, 2016. "Malaise in the Western Middle Classes," LIS Working papers 683, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:lis:liswps:683
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    1. David H. Autor, 2015. "Why Are There Still So Many Jobs? The History and Future of Workplace Automation," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 29(3), pages 3-30, Summer.
    2. Louis Chauvel, 2016. "The Intensity and Shape of Inequality: The ABG Method of Distributional Analysis," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 62(1), pages 52-68, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Louis Chauvel & Eyal Bar-Haim & Anne Hartung & Emily Murphy, 2021. "Rewealthization in 21st Century Western Countries: The Defining Trend of the Socioeconomic Squeeze of the Middle Class," LIS Working papers 821, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.

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