klasseral

Klasseral is a neologism used in some strands of sociology and anthropology to describe a transitional or hybrid class position that sits between the traditional working class and the middle class. It is employed to analyze social actors whose economic situation combines elements of precarious or contingent labor with opportunities for mobility through education and credential growth. The term has appeared in English-language debates since the early 2000s, though its usage remains limited and contested.

Etymology and conceptually, the word blends 'class' with a suffix implying range or generality, signaling a broad, evolving space rather than a fixed category. It is not tied to a single national system but has been used in comparative studies of post-industrial labor markets.

Typical features associated with klasseral include diversified employment portfolios, where individuals hold multiple jobs or engage in platform-based and traditional work; reliance on credential inflation, with continuous training and upskilling; a mix of social capitals—family connections, networks, and cultural knowledge—that support mobility; and exposure to income volatility alongside opportunities for upward advancement.

Scholars debate its usefulness as an analytic category. Proponents argue that it captures the fluid, multi-axial nature of modern stratification better than classic binary class schemes. Critics warn that the term can obscure concrete inequalities and overlap with existing concepts such as precarity, middle-class migration, or the new petite bourgeoisie, and it poses measurement challenges. In practice, the term is most often used in theoretical discussions and comparative studies of contemporary labor markets.