The Middle Class in Mozambique

In recent years, the growth of a middle class has been a key feature of the 'Africa Rising' narrative. Here, Sumich explores the formation of this middle class in Mozambique, answering questions about the basis of the class system and the social order that gives rise to it. Drawing extensively on his fieldwork, Sumich argues that power and status in dominant party states like Mozambique derives more from the ability to access resources, rather than from direct control of the means of production. By considering the role of the state, he shows how the Mozambican middle class can both be bound to a system they benefit from and alienated from it at the same time, as well as exploring the ways in which the middle classes attempt to reproduce their positions of privilege and highlighting the deep uncertain future that they face.

• Uses the situation in Mozambique to explore our understanding of an African middle class more generally, and the uncertain future it faces
• Shows just how powerfully embedded middle class formation is within the state and the ruling party
• Offers analysis covering a large historical period: spanning the late colonial period to the present day