Politicians everywhere are devising ways of wooing the middle class to support them because every political contest is ultimately determined by the way this important class in our society swings in electoral contests. But it is notoriously difficult to define what middle class values really are.

The criteria of membership to this class may vary in different cultures, but they are often based on considerations of education, physical conditions and consumer habits. The characteristics of the middle class in Malta are increasingly blending in with those of the middle class in Europe.

If we were to restrict membership of the middle class to educational attainment, then we would have to admit that our middle class is by definition quite limited. With almost 40 per cent of our young people leaving compulsory schooling without formal education, we can hardly boast of a thriving middle class. But the picture is not as bleak as it looks.

It is encouraging to note the great importance that most parents give to the education of their children. This explains the popularity of private education which, rightly or wrongly, is perceived by many as the best type of education available in Malta. Middle class families consider that giving their children a private education is a top priority on their agenda. Attributing this common ambition to snobbery shows a complete insensitivity to the aspirations of a large section of our society.

By defining the middle class on criteria relating to “physical conditions”, we get a much clearer picture of the extent of Middle Malta. Some sociologists include in the middle class all those who are owner occupiers of their homes. On this count we would have about 70 per cent of Maltese households who belong to the middle class. Perhaps a more precise definition would specify the extent of the property owned and the facilities it needs to have to determine whether this is a reliable indicator of middle class membership.

“Physical conditions” also include one’s earning capacity. But trying to understand one’s earning capacity cannot be limited to looking at their payslip. Guessing how much household income comes from black economy activities, or from a disregard of fiscal rectitude by individuals, is indeed difficult, even if few would deny that such incomes are probably substantial.

So, Middle Malta includes many very hard working individuals whose financial strength on paper is weak, but who apparently enjoy a good standard of living as evidenced by their spending habits.

The days when middle class membership was restricted to those having a tertiary level of education or practiced one of the professions are long gone. Earning capacity and accumulated wealth are more popularly acknowledged indicators of one’s standing in today’s Maltese society.

Apart from a commitment to providing their children with the best quality of education, there are few other common traits that one can attribute to the Maltese middle class. Many would argue that in the last few decades Middle Malta has generally embraced conservative political views.

It is interesting that certain professions that traditionally embrace liberal views in other countries, like the teaching profession, in Malta are more aligned to the conservative camp. Similarly, many consider that the views of many Maltese university students are decidedly more right wing than is the case in most Western societies.

Consumption patterns also vary within the spectrum of Middle Malta. Many still have very utilitarian values when it comes to spending money. Just look at the labour saving devices so many Maltese homes possess. However, there are other sections of the Maltese middle class who embrace admirable cultural values because of their genuine appreciation of the finer things in life.

The middle class in any society is not a homogenous group. Middle Malta is a broad church that comprises a range of people varying from those who are rich but with little educational achievement, to the not so well off but culturally evolved; from the professionals with conservative political and religious beliefs, to the middle earning liberal thinkers who believe in lay values.

But the prevalent section of the Maltese middle class is made up of households with two working parents who strive relentlessly to provide their families with a decent standard of living that would be unachievable if either one of them left the labour force.

So, connecting with Middle Malta will always be a challenging task for our political leaders, simply because it is so difficult to define what middle class values really are.

jcassarwhite@yahoo.com