Did Marx underestimate the power of the middle class ? [View all]

[limpyhobbler]

So I was just thinking how important the middle class has been in protecting capitalism.

My idea of Marx has been that he thought capitalism would lead to a polarization of society where most people belonged to the Proletariat and they would eventually take over from the capitalist Bourgeoisie.

But countries like the US and UK instead saw the development of highly stratified societies with large middle classes. The middle class included administrators and protection for the state and the capitalists. But also capitalists made some limited accommodation with parts of the working class to blunt more radical proletarian impulses. So in the mid 20th century the middle class included industrial workers like coal miners, steel workers, auto workers, etc.

In other times and places the middle class has played a pivotal role in stamping out proletarian movements all together, and enabled the rise of fascism or nationalist militarism.

Marx had a very good analysis of capitalism but I wonder if he underestimated the role of the middle class as defenders of the capitalist system.

Or that could be wrong. Anybody have any ideas on this? Suggestions for further reading also welcome.