No-One Escapes the Permanent Underclass

- The article argues that wealth alone cannot guarantee security or power in modern capitalism. Even people with savings, property, or high salaries can be pushed into a "permanent underclass" — people who lack structural protections, bargaining power, or control over their lives. - This challenges a popular narrative: that financial literacy, investing, or building "passive income" is enough to achieve freedom. The author says this is false, because capitalism creates a class of people who are always dependent, regardless of net worth. - The piece draws on thinkers like David Graeber, Kathi Weeks, and Guy Standing (who coined "precariat"). It reflects English-language discourse about the limits of "financial independence" and the instability of middle-class life. - The author writes for a tech-savvy audience familiar with startup culture, where "escape" via stock options, remote work, or crypto is a common dream. The essay says no individual strategy can save you from structural subordination.