To go full-on Machiavellian for a second:<p>The middle class has enough material wealth to have &quot;something to lose&quot;, but <i>not</i> enough material wealth to individually upset the status quo too much.  On top of that, there are enough resources to go around to allow a large group of people have that same approximate level of wealth.<p>Ergo, the middle class is a tremendous stabilizing force in a society, and they&#x27;re &quot;guillotine insurance&quot; for the rich.