论当代西方国家阶级结构的新变化及中间阶层的作用

西方国家生产关系的调整引起了阶级结构的新变化。在传统的两大对立阶级中各自都出现了具有特殊性的阶层,尤其是在两大对立的阶级之间,除了传统的中间阶层依然存在外,又产生了许多新的中间阶层。西方国家社会阶级结构日益呈现出“两头小,中间大”的中型分布。中间阶层不仅数量越来越多,而且对生产力的推动作用越来越大,对社会政治的影响力越来越强,对社会秩序的稳定作用越来越明显。

New Changes of Social-Class Structure in Contemporary Western Countries and Roles of Intermediate Strata

The adjustment of the production relations in Western Countries has given rise to new changes in their class structure. Special strata have appeared in the traditional two opposite classes, especially between which many new strata have come into sight in spite of the traditional intermediate stratum. The class structure in Western society has come to be a middle distribution which is "big in the middle and pointed in both ends." The intermediate strata are not only growing in number, but also in their contribution to promoting productive forces, influencing social politics and stabilizing social order.