As Marx pointed out, the "core" class structure in a capitalist society is based on "ones relationship to the means of production." Is one a buyer/owner of labor power or is one a seller of labor power? This fundamental idea...a social relation between people...gives rise to the "social/cultural" class structure most commonly expressed in Upper/Middle/Lower categories. This kind of class structure represents the "outputs" of results of the core relationship and is based on external measures or standards. The following is one expression of Marx's core class structure...with a very small percentage (here listed as 1 1/2%) of people actually being capitalists. The balance of the top 20%...above the proletariat...is made up of managers, professionals, small business owners...people who occupy "contradictory class locations" (sort of a foot in both camps). This 18.5% are actually sellers of their labor power and thus the upper crust of the proletariat. In other words, it doesn't really matter how much income you make...even if its $100,000 a year...if you receive a paycheck for your laboring activities, you're in the working class. (Note: the following is a jpeg image...loading time varies)
Marxist Class Structure
