The middle class in macroeconomics and growth theory: a three-class neo-Kaleckian-Goodwin model

Abstract

This paper presents a three class growth model with labor market conflict. The classes are workers, a middle management middle class, and a top management capitalist class. The model introduces personal income distribution that supplements conventional concerns with functional income distribution. Within such a model, endogenously generated changes in personal income distribution can generate endogenous shifts from profit-led to wage-led regimes and vice-versa. A model of an economy with three classes enables us to consider richer patterns of class conflict because the middle class has shared interests and conflicts with both capitalists and workers. Changes that benefit the middle class do not necessarily increase growth or employment or benefit workers.