What do you understand by middle class? Do you think it is dominant in deciding political discourse?

Answer framework:

Define middle class in the Introduction.

The middle class is a description given to individuals and households who typically fall between the working class and the upper class within a socio-economic hierarchy.

During the eight-year period between 2004 and 2012, the middle class doubled in size from 300 million to 600 million. By 2015, the size of the middle class in India was between 300 and 600 million, according to Deutsche Bank Research.

In the body, explain in brief the importance of Indian middle class right from freedom struggle to IT revolution in India 

Now address the 2nd part of the question.

In prevailing theories, middle class has often been considered the mainstay of democracy. Here, a direct correlation is made between higher economic development, education, middle class and higher political participation, open political attitudes (toleration of opposition, inter-personal trust).

While it can be argued that the notion of the authentic middle class, progressive and liberal in its views, is a myth the world over, this is particularly true in the Indian context.

 For, far from having a rationalist modern political attitude, Indian middle class use their social and cultural capital in contradictory ways:

 Advocating radical change and preservation of tradition; liberty and authoritarianism; equality and hierarchy all at the same time.

As mentioned earlier, their political attitudes are largely influenced by their location in the caste, religion, ethnicity, language sub group and the Indian middle classes have not militated against identity politics.

 Even as the new middle class becomes globally mobile, inhabits modern spaces, uses the language of modernity, they actively participate in articulations of identity politics of both the dominant “majorities” and of the “minorities”.

Besides, their actions are about protecting their own interests and social privileges. Many scholars have also pointed out to the preoccupation of the middle classes with their own keen of interests and consumption, and immunity to abject poverty and deprivation around; their zealous protection of upper caste privileges to their thriving on “connections”, family and patronage. There are of course exceptions, and sections of middle classes have spoken out or joined progressive movements, but these at large have been the dominant tendencies of Indian middle classes.

Add how reservation, Government policies are many a times benefitting middle class, which ultimately leads to vote bank politics.

Example : Arvind Kejriwal’s CM candidature is mainly attributed to the strong hold of middle class voting behaviour.

Add 2 to 3 lines on the role of middle class in social movements which has a big say in deciding political sphere in India.

Eg: Pressure groups.

In conclusion, summarize how middle class plays a dominant society