Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Class Will Tell
weeklystandard ^ | Sam Schulman

Posted on 10/18/2008 4:05:48 PM PDT by flyfree

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-24 last
To: ottbmare
....the upper class, whether European, British, or American, lives principally on inherited money. The upper middle class or bourgeoisie was historically defined as the people who were rich, maybe in some cases richer than the upper class, but they earned all or most of their money. This would include successful physicians, attorneys, and business people, those who might have inherited some money but had to work hard and acquire quite a bit of education in order to be successful....

With all due respect, I question this. The aristocracy, et. al. are the "upper class" you spoke of,does not gain statue from inherited wealth -- more particularly from the mid-19th century onwards. Originally aristocracy was based on feudalism, and with it lineage; it maintained by land, specifically renting land for agriculture. Today, it's pretty much based on nothing...or anything.

The haute bourgeoisie is the upper middle class. The doctors, dentist, lawyers, owners of large companies, etc. In short, folks who work with their heads more than their hand. The petite bourgeois are the middle-middle class. They work equally with both head and hands. The proletariat work chiefly with their hands and, well, don't much think about work when that 5 o'clock whistle blows, esp. on a Friday afternoon.

21 posted on 10/19/2008 4:32:53 AM PDT by yankeedame ("Oh, I can take it but I'd much rather dish it out.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: ottbmare
What makes you think that? There certainly is an upper class in this country. They just tend to stay out of sight.

Drive through Harrison, NY or New Canaan, CT.

What do you see, compared with driving through Beverly Hills or Grosse Pointe?

Nothing, that's what. THAT'S upper class.

22 posted on 10/19/2008 4:41:11 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered...the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Jim Noble
Drive through Harrison, NY or New Canaan, CT. What do you see, compared with driving through Beverly Hills or Grosse Pointe? Nothing, that's what. THAT'S upper class.

Quite so.

23 posted on 10/19/2008 4:08:11 PM PDT by ottbmare
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: ottbmare
Drive through Harrison, NY or New Canaan, CT. What do you see, compared with driving through Beverly Hills or Grosse Pointe? Nothing, that's what. THAT'S upper class. Quite so.

These are people who lived through 1929-1941 and kept their money.

They understand damn well that if you show it, you can lose it.

24 posted on 10/19/2008 4:49:41 PM PDT by Jim Noble (Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered...the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-24 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson