In a strict Marxist sense, the petite bourgeoisie represents the middle managers who are capable of purchasing the labor power of the proletariat (
working class), but also do not wholly own the means of production. The key defining factor of this group involves the attitudes, values, and opinions they support and display. Members of this social group strive to mimic the behaviors and practices of the Haute Bourgeoisie (
upper class, the one percent if you will), even though their own incomes are nowhere near the level of those they deify. They often have an aggressive disdain for the poor even though most of them are a single paycheck away from joining their ranks. Modernly, most of them purchase goods and services on credit, providing for the illusion that they have the same kind of purchasing power that the wealthy do. They use this artificial purchasing power to obtain nice clothes, cars, and jewelry (swag). Most of them are social/fiscal
conservatives, Social Darwinists, Objectivists/Ayn Rand fans and/or libertarians. They also have nigh-psychotic
delusions of grandeur, thinking that if they just "work hard enough" that they too will join the ranks of the economic elite someday.
"So my buddy only makes 30k a year, just bought a house, a BMW, a rolex, and has a full wardrobe of designer clothes. He also lectures me
every day that he 'earned it' from 'working hard' and that anyone who doesn't have what he's got is somehow
inferior to him."
"petite
bourgeoisie scum."
