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BLS says about 153 million Americans are currently working(1). Gallup says 52% of American Adults are invested in the stock market(2). There are about 235 milli
by harryh 9y ago
BLS says about 153 million Americans are currently working(1). Gallup says 52% of American Adults are invested in the stock market(2). There are about 235 million adult Americans. 52% of that is 122 million.
153 million laborers vs
122 million stockholders
Pretty close! And that's just stockholders. There are, of course, many other forms of capital.
1. https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS12000000 https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS12000000
2. http://www.gallup.com/poll/190883/half-americans-own-stocks-matching-record-low.aspx http://www.gallup.com/poll/190883/half-americans-own-stocks-...
- int_19h 9y agoIf someone is deriving 90% of their income from labor, and 10% of it from stocks, then I don't think it's meaningful to call them "capitalists". It's technically true, yes, but in a way that doesn't make sense in the context of this discussion.
- dragonwriter 9y agoIn class terms, a capitalist derives the vast majority of their income from capital, a laborer from labor, and the middle class has both as significant sources of income. A worker owning a handful of shares of stock isn't a capitalist, or even petit bourgeoisie.