Middle Versus Common

This relates to a recent discussion on a particular site (not linked intentionally)

A very basic mistake people make in discussions is conflating “middle class” with “common” people. This is (for most part) incorrect assumption esp. in context of India.

By googling (needs further citation), I came with following data for “per capita income” and its distribution in India, the data presents an interesting picture,

Per Capita Income of India in 2004 was Rs 23,000. However top 20 % of Indian population was earning Rs 48,000. If we narrow the range further top 10% of Indian population was earning Rs 63,000. This is in contrast to conventional wisdom, as the data clearly implies the “middle class” , assuming that it consists of urban professionals employed predominantly in service sector* and the range of income for that category (assuming it to be more than Rs 1,00,000), actually occupy less than top 10% in terms of income.

The reason there is incomprehension about “middle class” and “common people” is twofold,

First is the simple one, “middle” in “middle class” is understood in context of income; however “middle class” is a historical term. [Wiki]. This was used for the new class of professionals such as lawyers, doctors, bankers which emerged at the end of feudal age in Europe, as this class gathered strength it caused a drastic shift in power balance which resulted in end of reign of monarchy and church, at the same time it was a precursor to industrial revolution and radical shift in social, political and philosophical theories.

However, in my view there is another reason which is much more subtle than simple confusion over context.Being common implies being part of majority. Therefore by aligning with majority there are greater chances of further the agenda specific to the particular class.Another aspect is that by being part of the common people, the middle class can become a part of the oppressed, victimized masses and hence a cause celebre, this is just one of the regrettable consequences of the applying egalitarianism without thought.