For a long time, the middle class has been regarded as the "stabilizer" of society. However, the spread of capitalist global crises in the 21st century has led to a widespread decline in the size of the middle class worldwide, accompanied by a state of strong instability. Since 2020, the overlapping impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have further intensified global crises. Meanwhile, the relationships between the middle class and global capitalism, state power, technology, and socialism have also undergone new changes. Therefore, this issue’s cover story focuses on the new challenges facing the middle class in the context of this era of global crisis.