10.17192/meta.2014.2.1330 Neubert, Dieter Dieter Neubert What is "Middle Class"? In Search for an Appropriate Concept Middle East - Topics + Arguments : Vol 2 (2014) Philipps-Universität Marburg 2014 Milieu Lifestyle Social Structure Socio-Cultural Differentiation Middle Class Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS) 2018-01-31 2014-05-16 en JournalArticle https://journals.uni-marburg.de/0003/2014/37/1330 urn:nbn:de:hebis:04-0003-2014-37-13303 https://doi.org/10.17192/meta.2014.2.37 https://journals.uni-marburg.de/0003/2014/37/1330/1330.png 2196-629X application/pdf image/jpeg In the current debate the middle class of the Global South is identified as a new group of consumers and it is seen as the carrier of democratic values and societal progress. But we know that protagonists of a liberal democratic opposition as well as followers of radical religious groups and supporters of the conservative authoritarian regimes are all part of the middle class. Obviously the middle class is not homogenous. Is the concept of middle class useful under these conditions? Are concepts of socio-cultural differentiation such as milieus or lifestyles applicable in the Global South even when cross-cutting elements like religion and ethnic identity play a much more important role than in Europe? 2196-629X Middle East - Topics + Arguments Vol 2 (2014)