Every nation requires a thriving and dynamic middle class for its economic development and sociopolitical stability. This is particularly relevant because the need for economic growth takes a salient role in the political discourse of society’s overall welfare and progress.
The ascent of the middle class yields a multiplier effect—socially, politically, and culturally—which a country should carefully consider when charting its developmental course, crucial to sustaining the engine of growth.
In his book titled ‘The Centrality of Middle Class: Sociopolitical Resilience & Economic Stability’, Dr Khalid Ali al-Jufairi, an expert on international politics, foreign policy and national security, insists that the middle class, existing within socioeconomic structures, possesses a complex and heterogeneous character, as observed in developed economies from the inception of social divisions and the establishment of new socioeconomic structures.
The middle class primarily serves social and economic functions, critiquing or endorsing domestic policies. Dr al-Jufairi argues how the middle class serves as a socioeconomic guarantor of progressive societal development and enhances the trend of upward social mobility, facilitating the transition between social strata.
Within the context of his book, Dr al-Jufairi explores and expands upon contemporary socioeconomic research, referencing and applying the economic analysis system to the position and role of the middle class within societal stratification. This is juxtaposed against a key cross-cultural management (CCM) functionalist, dimensional paradigm of Geert Hofstede.
He asserts that accounting for sub-social challenges and cultural determinants is pivotal in formulating strategies for societal development and growth. Dr al-Jufairi noted, "The contemporary emergence of the middle class as a socioeconomic phenomenon warrants comprehensive investigation and study. This phenomenon is particularly notable due to the significant expansion of the middle class in rapidly growing emerging markets. These markets or economies are undergoing the various stages of economic development, transitioning from a low-income to a high-income trajectory. Nonetheless, this growth is accompanied by various threats, encompassing political, economic, and governance challenges.
“My book is designed to captivate scholars across the social sciences, especially those with interests in political stability, ideological states, and development narratives."
Dr al-Jufairi’s thought-provoking and insightful book 'The Centrality of Middle Class: Sociopolitical Resilience & Economic Stability’ is available at bookstores across Doha and around the world.
Those interested can order the book through the Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press) website under the academic genre of books. In our ongoing commitment to providing our readers with insightful and diverse content, 'Gulf Times' is delighted to publish Dr al-Jufairi's expert views in our columns.
A PhD in International Relations & Diplomacy, Dr al-Jufairi is an Adjunct Professor at Qatar University’s Department of International Affairs and a visiting faculty at a number of universities abroad including Georgetown University in Washington DC and American Graduate School in Paris, France.
He is also the Co-Founder & Chairman of the American Center for Strategic and International Affairs, a think-do tank at New York and an Abshire-Inamori International Fellow at Washington DC’s Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
We hope our readers will embrace the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and stay informed about the forces that shape our interconnected world, through the columns of Dr al-Jufairi, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.