During the 1800 and 1900, a new class was beginning to emerge. This new class comprised of the lower class and it was growing rapidly due to the industries created by the capitalists. This new class was called the Proletarians. Also during this time, there was a great political, social, and economical upheaval. In some European countries, there were laws that were passed that allowed the common people to vote in the elections. Even though these citizens were allowed to vote, their votes would not compare to the aristocrats. The upper class considered the lower class to be oblivious to what was truly needed for their country. Thus they thought the lower classes votes should not count. But the lower class and upper class had different issues to worry about. The lower class might have problems such as getting food but the upper class will worry about maximizing profit. And with many people there also came mass media. There were newspapers and radio stations that were designed for the lower class and also for the upper class. There was also a rise of democracy in politics with many more people involved. Even though the government was considered a democracy, the upper class believed that it would not matter thinking their class would be favored.
I thought it was funny how the upper class thought that even with a democracy, that they would still be able to rule. They must have really thought of the lower class as being insignificant even though their numbers were high. They truly must not have understood what a democracy was to believe that the majority wouldn't be favored.
I'm just wondering why, even with a democracy, it seems that the minority of the society (upper class) still happens to get their way. The poor still are poor and the rich are still rich. With more poor people than rich, how come a balance is hard to obtain?
Angela Han
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I think you pose a very interesting question about how such a small minority of society is able to rule and the poor continues to be poor. I think it mostly has to do with the "culture of poverty" theory, and self-fulfilling prophecy that because the poor have been ingrained into this culture of feeling helpless and unworthy, they believe there is nothing they can do to help themselves. They are convinced that higher instituions and classes are not looking to help them in their best interests and they continue to feel inferior and powerless.
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