society

Power and Class: How Ownership Shapes Control

This blog points out how wealth equals power by dividing society into three wealth-based classes. It also highlights how a small group controls work, rules, and opportunities.

T Jackson

18 Dec 2025 — 2 min read

Photo by Stephen Harlan on Unsplash

Abstract

This blog points out how wealth equals power by dividing society into three wealth-based classes. It also highlights how a small group controls work, rules, and opportunities.

People often define social class by income, education, or job title. Focusing on ownership and power offers a clearer view. Ownership shows who controls important economic resources and makes decisions. Looking at who owns assets helps us see how this affects access to work, sets rules, and creates or limits opportunities. This way, we can better grasp how class structure functions in society.

With this approach, society falls into three groups:

Working class (assets under $5 million)
Middle asset class ($5–30 million)
Upper asset class (over $30 million).

Most people in the United States are part of the working class. They own personal property but little or no property that makes money, so they have to work to get by. They need to keep earning wages or salaries to fulfill their needs. Working-class people lack control over their pay, schedules, and job security. This is because they don’t have enough income-producing assets. Losing a job can lead to the immediate loss of healthcare, housing, and retirement savings.

The working class is the largest social class in the USA. It has little influence over the systems that affect its daily life. They seldom get to choose their work schedules and conditions. People above their asset class often make the labor laws, taxes, and benefits. Many retail and service jobs use unpredictable "just-in-time" scheduling. This practice gives workers little control over their hours and income. Voting and organizing can help, but these actions are weak against concentrated wealth. Most working-class people have to live with decisions made by others and have little control over their lives and work.

The middle asset class sits above the working class and comprises a small share of the population. About 3.3% of U.S. households, or 4.8 million households, have between $5 million and $30 million in assets. This group includes business owners, landlords, and investors. A small manufacturing company owner might earn a salary and profit shares. A landlord with many rental properties can rely on rental income rather than relying solely on wages. Many members of this class still work, but they do not rely only on wages and can live off their investments. They control their lives and work. They can set their own hours and make business decisions. Sometimes they also manage a few others, such as employees or tenants.

At the top is the upper asset class, a tiny but powerful group. Only about 0.4% of households, or 510,000 households, have more than $30 million in assets in the USA. They don't need to work to live. Instead, they control large amounts of capital that influence industries, laws, and politics. Individuals and families like those listed on the Forbes 400. They influence others by owning large companies, making key investments, and donating to change government policy. Their power is often hidden behind financial and legal systems that protect big owners. This group controls many people’s lives.

In summary, we should define social class by owning income-producing assets, not by income. Most Americans create value, but they have little control over their economic lives and work conditions. A small group within society has some control. An even smaller group owns enough assets to influence many individual lives. Understanding the differences is key to understanding the lasting link between wealth, power, and class in the U.S.