Bourgeois Culture

Bourgeois culture. The values, norms, and lifestyles associated with the bourgeoisie, the middle or upper-middle class that emerged during the European Industrial Revolution. Rooted in 18th- and 19th-century capitalism, it emphasizes individualism, private property, education, and material success.

Often critiqued by thinkers like Karl Marx for its perceived materialism and conformity, bourgeois culture valorized domesticity (e.g., the nuclear family), polite manners, and cultural refinement through art, literature, and theater.

In modern contexts, it’s linked to suburban lifestyles, consumer culture, and professional ambition. By 2025, the term also carries ironic or pejorative undertones in discussions of gentrification and elitism, contrasting with working-class or avant-garde identities.

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