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Karl Marx's definition of class is central to his critique of capitalist societies and forms the cornerstone of Marxist theory. According to Marx, social classes are defined by their relationship to the means of production, specifically, their ownership or lack of ownership of productive resources.
In the capitalist mode of production, Marx identified two primary classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie, or capitalist class, owns the means of production, including factories, land, and capital. They derive their wealth from the exploitation of labor and the surplus value produced by the working class.
Conversely, the proletariat, or working class, possesses only their labor power, which they sell to the bourgeoisie in exchange for wages. The working class, according to Marx, is exploited as their labor generates value that exceeds their wages, contributing to the profits of the capitalist class.
Marx's class analysis is dynamic, acknowledging the potential for social upheaval and the emergence of new classes through historical processes. He envisioned a historical trajectory where class struggle would eventually lead to the overthrow of the capitalist system, resulting in a classless, communist society.
Marxian class theory remains influential in understanding social stratification, economic inequality, and the dynamics of class conflict. It provides a framework for examining how relations of production shape societal structures and impact the distribution of power and resources.