The Rise Of Greece's New Middle Class

The concept of a middle class in Greece has evolved over time, with the term taking on different meanings in the ancient and modern contexts. In ancient Greece, particularly in Athens, the middle class consisted of foreign-born individuals known as metics who were considered free but lacked the same rights as the upper class. This group included small farmers, artisans, and merchants. On the other hand, the modern definition of the Greek middle class is typically associated with income levels and professions. According to various sources and political perspectives, the middle class in contemporary Greece is often defined by income thresholds, ranging from €500 to €21,000 per year, with specific thresholds depending on household size. This group has been a key focus of political campaigns and discussions surrounding tax policies and economic measures.

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The middle class in ancient Athens

In ancient Athens, society was divided into four main social classes: the upper class, the middle class, the lower class, and the slave class. The upper class, or citizens, consisted of those born to Athenian parents. They were the most powerful and wealthy in society, holding all political and military power. The upper class included the aristocracy, villagers, and merchants.

The middle class, or metics, was made up of people who were not born in Athens but worked hard at their trade. They were considered free but did not have the same rights as the upper class. The middle class included small farmers, artisans, and merchants. They were generally well-respected and had more social and economic mobility than the lower class.

The lower class, or freedmen, were just above the slaves in the social hierarchy. Many were former slaves who had gained their freedom. They had even fewer rights than the middle class.

Slaves were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and were required to perform menial tasks for the upper classes. Many slaves were brought in from other countries, and in some cases, they could eventually pay for their freedom.

While the social class system in ancient Athens was marked by significant inequality, it was not completely fixed. It was possible, although not common, for individuals to move up or down in social class based on wealth, education, and social connections. Women's status in the social system was based on the status of their husbands or fathers, and they were not treated as equals to men. They were excluded from politics and were expected to focus on their roles as wives and mothers.

Middle-income earners

In ancient Greece, the middle class was made up of people who may not have been born in Athens but worked hard at their trades. They were considered free but didn't have the same rights as the upper class. The middle class included small farmers, artisans, and merchants.

In modern Greece, the definition of "middle class" is more complex and contested. Most economic studies use a quantitative definition, equating it with "middle income." The OECD defines the middle class as those earning between 75% and 200% of the national median disposable income. For Greece, this translated into annual earnings after tax and social contributions between $7,894 and $21,050 USD for a one-person household in 2016. According to the OECD, around 57% of Greeks fall into this category.

However, defining the middle class in terms of income alone may not capture the full picture, as it does not account for factors such as profession, cultural identity, and aspirational qualities. For example, in 2020, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras defined Greece's middle class based on monthly income, with a single-person household belonging to the middle class when earning between €6,294 and €16,783 annually. This definition sparked controversy, even among members of the government.

The middle class in Greece has been a key focus of political campaigns, with parties vying for the middle-class vote. The decline of the middle class and the impact of economic policies on this group have been widely discussed. However, the effectiveness of proposed solutions remains uncertain, and the situation in Greece goes beyond the typical "squeezed middle class" debate.

Middle class voters

In ancient Greece, the middle class was made up of people who may not have been born in Athens but worked hard at their trades. They were considered free but didn't have the same rights as the upper class. The middle class consisted of small farmers, artisans, and merchants. These individuals were not as wealthy as the aristocracy but were generally well-respected and had more social and economic mobility than the lower class.

In modern Greece, the definition of the "middle class" is more complex and contested. Some define it quantitatively, equating it with "middle income." The OECD defines the middle class as those earning between 75% and 200% of the national median disposable income. According to this definition, around 57% of Greeks are middle class.

However, others argue that the definition should also consider factors such as profession and cultural identity. The plight of the Greek middle class has become a significant issue in recent elections, with parties vying for the middle-class vote by proposing various economic and taxation policies. The decline of the middle class has been attributed to various factors, including tax policies and the economic crisis.

It's worth noting that the concept of the "middle class" is not static and can change over time, as seen in the evolution of ancient Greece's social structure.

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Middle class in the Greek economic crisis

In ancient Greece, society was divided into three or four main social classes: the upper class, the middle class, and the lower class. The upper class, or aristocracy, consisted of wealthy landowners and high-ranking officials, while the lower class was just one step above the slaves. The middle class, or the yeomanry, consisted of small farmers, artisans, and merchants. They were considered free but had fewer rights than the upper class.

In the context of the Greek economic crisis, the middle class has been significantly affected. A OECD study found that the Greek middle class lost disposable income between 2007 and 2015 at a higher rate than other countries studied, with a 4% annual decrease compared to under 2% in Italy and Ireland. This loss of income is attributed almost entirely to falling market incomes. As a result, many middle-income households in Greece struggle to pay their necessary expenses and are at a higher risk of falling into poverty.

The Greek middle class has also faced increasing tax burdens, with the average tax rate rising from 19.3% in 2009 to 27.9% in 2018. This has led to a significant number of middle-class taxpayers falling behind on their taxes and facing enforcement measures such as automatic seizures from their bank accounts. The political debate in Greece has focused on pledges to support the middle class, but it remains to be seen if a change in political leadership will bring about any significant improvements.

The impact of the economic crisis on the middle class has also contributed to a decline in the number of self-employed professionals and an increase in emigration, with an estimated 63% of those who left being university graduates. Overall, the Greek middle class has faced a decline in their economic status and increased financial precarity due to the economic crisis.

Middle class in ancient Sparta

Ancient Greece was divided into several social classes, each with its own unique privileges, responsibilities, and limitations. The Greeks believed that a person’s status was determined by their ancestry and birth, and this was reflected in the complex social hierarchy that existed in their society.

The city-state of Sparta had a slightly different social arrangement from the rest of ancient Greece, with only three classes: native Spartans, free foreigners, and the Helots, a class of enslaved people in this society. The Spartiates, or native Spartans, were at the top of the social hierarchy and controlled politics and the military. They were a small minority, making up between a tenth and a thirty-second of the population. They enjoyed all the political and legal rights of the state and were the only ones who could participate in politics. They also served in the military and led the military.

The middle class in Sparta, or the Perioeci, were free foreigners who acted as a buffer between the Spartiates and the Helots. They had many rights, including the right to own land, become hoplites, and join the navy. They were also allowed to learn how to read and write. However, they were not allowed to participate in Spartan politics or marry a Spartiate.

The lowest class in Spartan society was the Helots, who were enslaved people. They were subjected populations over whom the Spartan state claimed ownership. They were allowed to live in their own accommodation, keep some of their farming yields, and have their own families, although mixing with the Spartiates was not allowed. The Helots were able to earn their freedom by joining the military, but even if they did, they were still treated as Helots.

It is important to note that while the social class system in ancient Greece was marked by significant inequality, it was not completely fixed. It was possible, although not common, for individuals to move up or down in social class based on factors such as wealth, education, and social connections.

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