Professional-Managerial Class: Origins, Evolution, and Social Impact
In the complex landscape of modern capitalism, traditional divisions between the working class and the owners of capital often fail to capture the reality of the modern workforce. Enter the professional-managerial class (PMC)—a distinct social group that occupies a unique space in the economic hierarchy. By controlling production processes through superior management positions, the PMC is neither proletarian (the working class) nor bourgeoisie (the capitalist class).
Often referred to as "The New Class," this group is defined by specialized training and higher education, typically holding university degrees or business qualifications. These credentials grant them a level of societal influence that was historically reserved for those who owned the means of production. While most members of the PMC earn incomes above their national average, there are notable exceptions in fields such as print journalism and academia.
Key Facts
- Definition: A social class that controls production via management but does not own the capital.
- Distinguishing Traits: High levels of education, university degrees, and professional certifications.
- Coinage: The term was coined in 1977 by John and Barbara Ehrenreich.
- Growth: In the U.S., PMC occupations grew from less than 1% of employment in the 1930s to 35% by 2006.
- Modern Context: Now frequently used in political discourse to describe technocratic liberals.
The History and Theory of the PMC
The conceptual roots of the PMC can be traced back to 1941, when James Burnham proposed the idea of a leading managerial class in his work The Managerial Revolution. However, it was not until 1977 that John and Barbara Ehrenreich formally coined the term "professional-managerial class."
The PMC hypothesis became a central point of contention in Marxist debates regarding Fordism (the system of mass production and consumption). While it provided an analytical framework for examining non-proletarian employees, orthodox Marxists have criticized the hypothesis as a revision of traditional Marxist class understanding.
The Ehrenreich Definition and Growth
The Ehrenreichs initially identified the PMC as educated professionals who operated outside of corporate environments. This included scientists, doctors, lawyers, artists, journalists, and academics. The growth of this class in the United States was exponential over the 20th century:
| Era/Year | Estimated Share of Total Employment |
|---|---|
| 1930s | Less than 1% |
| 1972 | 24% |
| 2006 | 35% |
Economic Shifts and Fragmentation
By 2013, the Ehrenreichs suggested that the PMC as a cohesive collective grouping had largely collapsed due to economic shifts in the 1990s and 2000s. They observed three distinct trajectories for PMC members:
- Capital Integration: Highly qualified specialists, such as certain scientists, moved into lucrative roles providing direct services to capital.
- Corporatization: Professionals like doctors, lawyers, and tenured professors found their workplaces becoming increasingly "corporation-like."
- Downward Mobility: Those in the humanities or media often struggled to translate their skills into high-income roles, sometimes sliding into the retail workforce.
Modern Political Usage and Criticism
In recent years, the term has migrated from sociological theory into American political discourse. By the late 2010s, "PMC" became a shorthand for wealthy Democratic voters or technocratic liberals (individuals who believe society should be managed by technical experts).
Among left-wing commentators, the term is often used pejoratively. Catherine Liu, in her 2021 work Virtue Hoarders, described the PMC as white-collar liberals with a superiority complex toward the working class. Similarly, Hans Magnus Enzensberger noted a "characterless opportunism" within the class, citing a tendency to shift allegiances between the working and leisured classes for personal gain. Interestingly, Barbara Ehrenreich herself eventually expressed disapproval of the term's evolution, labeling its modern usage as an "ultraleft slur."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the PMC and the bourgeoisie?
The bourgeoisie owns the means of production (capital), whereas the professional-managerial class controls the production process through management and expertise without necessarily owning the capital.
Who coined the term "professional-managerial class"?
The term was coined in 1977 by social scientists John and Barbara Ehrenreich.
Does the PMC always earn a high income?
Generally, the PMC earns above-average incomes, but there are significant exceptions, particularly in print journalism and academia.
How has the PMC changed since the 1930s?
The class grew from a tiny fraction of the U.S. workforce (less than 1%) to a significant portion (35% by 2006), before fragmenting due to the corporatization of professional work and economic shifts in the 1990s and 2000s.
Why is the term PMC sometimes used as a slur?
In modern political contexts, some critics use it to describe a class of liberal elites who they believe possess a superiority complex or exhibit opportunism regarding their social and political allegiances.