Mittelklassen, Mittelschichten oder Milieus in Afrika?

Who are the so-called 'middle-income strata/middle classes' in Africa? How do they live, how do they influence processes of social change and how can they be analysed? This publication innovates by introducing new scientific debates and approaches to the study of this phenomenon. It applies concepts from German-speaking academia – such as 'soziale Milieus' – into the exploration of these international debates. Furthermore, the authors not only reflect on classical concepts but also develop new approaches based on their empirical findings. This publication draws on the disciplines of sociology, political science, economics and anthropology as sources for analyses in African contexts. At the same time, they take unique features of African contexts seriously in their theoretical framing of middle-income strata/the middle classes. Through these varied theoretical and methodological pathways, this publication contributes to a better understanding of the realities of life in Africa.