The term "the petite bourgeoisie" refers to a social class of people who typically own small businesses or are self-employed professionals. Some synonyms for this term include the "small business class," the "petty bourgeoisie," the "middle class," or the "propertied class." These individuals typically have moderate levels of wealth and influence but are not considered part of the upper class. Within Marxist theory, the petite bourgeoisie is viewed as a class that is caught between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, and is seen as potentially aligning with either group depending on their particular economic interests. Overall, the term "the petite bourgeoisie" describes a specific social and economic class of people who occupy a certain position within the larger structure of society.