Poverty is created by the structure of the world
The End of the Middle Class and the Potential of the Internet Revolution: How Translation Technology Is Changing the World How long will the era of the middle class last?
In the latter half of the 20th century, the middle class served as the backbone of advanced economies. With stable consumption, a solid tax base, and political stability, they helped build the “golden age” of capitalism. However, rising inequality, job insecurity, and increasing living costs are shrinking the middle class. At this rate, the era in which the current form of the middle class drives the economy may only last another 10 to 20 years.
Job losses due to AI and automation, structural changes caused by climate change, and the rise of the middle class in emerging economies will only accelerate this timeline. But the end of the middle class is not merely a collapse—it could be an opportunity to give birth to a “new economic model” or a “new middle class.” At the center of this shift are the internet and translation technology.
The Need to Restore Balance in Capitalism
Looking back, capitalism has evolved through pressures to restore "balance." The labor movements of the 19th century and the rise of socialism in the 20th century led to the birth of welfare states and worker protections, nurturing the middle class. However, since the end of the Cold War, that balance has collapsed, and inequality has surged. Once again, capitalism is losing control.
Today’s transformation is not born through physical protests or riots—but in digital space. In an era of surveillance and repression, the internet remains the only arena where cross-border solidarity and shared consciousness are possible.
The Epicenter of the Internet Revolution: The Power of Translation Technology
The seeds of social transformation are likely to emerge from regions like the U.S. and Europe, where inequality and social unrest are more visible. The housing crisis in America and immigration issues in Europe are heightening tensions. In contrast, in Japan and parts of Asia, societal pressure to conform and surveillance systems tend to suppress large-scale upheaval.
Here, AI-powered translation technology plays a revolutionary role. As translation accuracy improves, it tears down language barriers and accelerates the following changes:
Shared Awareness: Issues like inequality or poverty, once seen as “separate problems” in each country, become recognized as structurally identical.
Rapid Empathy: Frustration and anger cross borders in real time.
Global Solidarity: A protest in one country quickly expands into a global movement.
For example, a complaint about soaring rents in the U.S. can be shared in Japanese or Spanish. The issues in Xinjiang or Palestine can be disseminated in multiple languages. Young people speak out about local problems in foreign languages, drawing global empathy. In this way, “local discontent” transforms into a “global struggle.”
The Frontline of the Information War: The Power of Online Platforms
Platforms like Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), 5ch, and Weibo are the frontlines of fact-based “information warfare.” By spreading multilingual messages like the following, people can question the status quo globally:
“Why aren’t wages rising while the wealthy avoid taxes?”
“Struggling with rent or healthcare? You're not alone. Why is this happening everywhere?”
“Do politicians really work for the people?”
These are not mere criticisms—they are acts of exposing structural issues. The anonymity and censorship-resistant nature of the internet make it a powerful space for building solidarity.
How Translation Technology Transforms the Nature of Revolution
Traditional revolutions were centered on “local uprisings,” but translation technology enables “structural solidarity.” When people realize that inequality, lack of access to healthcare or education, and the privileges of the wealthy are the same in every country, revolutionary sparks can spread rapidly.
However, stirring up fear and anxiety alone risks fostering chaos, authoritarianism, and division. The following balance is critical:
Fact-Based Communication: Avoid conspiracy theories or misinformation; highlight problems with data and evidence.
Presenting Alternatives: Offer visions beyond destruction—participatory democracy, cooperative economies, eco-socialism.
Connection to Action: Bridge online discussion to real-world political action, such as strikes or elections.
Conclusion: A Future Shaped by the Internet and Translation
The era of the middle class driving the economy may end in the next 10 to 20 years due to structural limits. But that end could mark the beginning of a new revolution. The internet and translation technology can become powerful tools to demand new balance in capitalism and drive structural change.
Shared cross-border discontent, fact-based “information warfare,” and the presentation of new societal visions—when these elements align, the revolution of the 21st century will manifest not in chaos, but in transformed consciousness and systems.
A Call to You!
How did you feel after reading this blog post?
Do the frustrations and feelings of stagnation in your own country echo those in others?
What messages would you like to share with the world using the internet and translation tools?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments or on social media!
Let’s imagine together—what kind of future do we want to build?
#InternetRevolution #TranslationTechnology #MiddleClass #Capitalism #SocialChange
