>the fantasy to the contrary [i.e., of escaping the pressures of working
>class life by becoming a business owner] plays a big part in producing
>working class consent.
I don't know if this has been empirically tested. But my impression is that, among the rich countries, the U.S. has more inequality but also more social mobility. The latter is the "material basis" for the fantasy (with or without quotation marks). I think of the U.S. society like a casino where you don't have to pay cover, significantly bigger prizes, but also a larger probability of losing the shirt.
This trait makes the U.S. a specially attractive place for people who are less risk averse -- say, young, poor migrants who have little to lose. Although, it leaves the established, mature "middle class" (which is to say, a big chunk of the "actually-existing" working class) in a very shaky position.
Does it make sense?
Julio