underclasses
Lowest social strata
The underclasses are groups at the bottom of a social hierarchy—people with the least wealth, opportunity, and power.
The term often implies permanent marginalization rather than temporary poverty: policies that trap people in the underclasses, the growing gap between the underclasses and everyone else.
The singular underclass is more common.
Extreme poverty, lacking necessities
- impoverishmentState of extreme deprivation
- deprivationState of lacking necessities
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- squalorDirty, degraded living conditions
homelessness · joblessness · subsistence · scarcity · hand-to-mouth · debt · penury · indigence
Ranked authority structure
- casteInherited social division
- proletariatLaborers lacking capital ownership
- plebeiansRoman lower classes
- commonersOrdinary citizens, untitled
rank · status · blue-collar · low-income · precariat · underemployed · unskilled · lumpenproletariat
Shut out, denied entry
- voicelessHaving no voice
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- invisibleCannot be seen
- outcastsRejected, excluded people
alienated · disenfranchised · sidelined · peripheral · overlooked · neglected · ignored · stigmatized
Being without paid work
- welfareComfort and prosperity
- subsidiesFinancial aid from government
- benefitsGains or helpful effects
- aidSupport given freely
assistance · dole · relief · charity · shelters · workfare · means-tested
Unjust differential treatment
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- exploitationSelfish use of others
destitution
Extreme poverty, lacking necessities
- impoverishmentState of extreme deprivation
- deprivationState of lacking necessities
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
squalor · homelessness · joblessness · subsistence · scarcity · hand-to-mouth · debt · penury · indigence · want
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
- casteInherited social division
- proletariatLaborers lacking capital ownership
- plebeiansRoman lower classes
commoners · rank · status · blue-collar · low-income · precariat · underemployed · unskilled · lumpenproletariat · peasantry
excluded
Shut out, denied entry
outcasts · alienated · disenfranchised · sidelined · peripheral · overlooked · neglected · ignored · stigmatized · othered
unemployment
Being without paid work
aid · assistance · dole · relief · charity · shelters · workfare · means-tested
discrimination
Unjust differential treatment
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
exploitation · classism · casteism · prejudice · bias · redlining
underclassesupper classes
Society's most privileged strata
elite · ruling class · aristocracy · upper crust · nobility
underclassesruling classes
Groups holding political power
power elite · establishment · overlords · masters · power brokers
underclasseswealthy
Having abundant financial resources
the rich · the one percent · landed gentry · industrialists · tycoons