"It is the tendency of the social burdens to crush out the middle class, and to force society into an organization of only two classes, one at each social extreme"

William Graham Sumner emphasizes the dynamic and often precarious position of the middle class within society. He observes that social burdens, taxes, regulations, expectations, and various societal pressures, tend to weigh disproportionately upon the middle class rather than the wealthy elite or the impoverished lower class. This disproportionate pressure can erode the stability, security, and upward potential that have historically characterized the middle strata.

Sumner identifies a broader societal tendency: over time, the structures and policies enacted under the banner of social good can inadvertently squeeze the middle class. These burdens may include increased costs of living, complicated welfare systems, or excessive bureaucracy, often justifiable on grounds of aiding the less fortunate or correcting perceived inequalities. Yet, the practical consequence can be an ever-thinning middle, as individuals find it harder to maintain their status, let alone advance. As life grows more burdensome and less rewarding for the middle segment, individuals may slip down to the lower rungs, while a small minority can accumulate enough resources, power, or protection to remain unscathed at the top.

Sumner’s insight draws attention to the dangers of neglecting the central role of the middle class in a balanced, flexible society. Historically, a robust middle class has been associated with social stability, democratic engagement, and opportunities for social mobility. However, if the middle is systematically undermined, crushed out, society becomes polarized into two disparate groups with little common interest or understanding. The elites become further isolated and perhaps indifferent; the lower class becomes more entrenched, possibly resentful or disengaged. In this configuration, social mobility stalls and democracy itself weakens, as the middle, which often acts as a cultural and economic bridge, dwindles away. Sumner warns implicitly of an unstable future where societal cohesion gives way to division, and opportunity is reserved for only the extremes.