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In a society, several classes exist due to distinctions in economic conditions. In sociology, the definition of class and class struggle was given by Karl Marx. He used class as the prime concept to understand the complexities of society. As per him, a class can be defined by the ownership of property, i.e. who owns how much property. He classified class into two types: bourgeoisie and proletariat, which will be covered in this article’s later stages. Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle explains how a constant struggle exists between the two classes.
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Class
Before understanding the class struggle, let’s understand what a class is. A class is formed based on people’s positions in different levels of production. There are two classes – labour class and capital class. The former is also called the working class, which is involved in the working and production of goods. The latter invests money in business and has a hold on profits. Thus, by their very definitions, it is clear that the labour class is economically weaker than the capital class.
Both the classes are interdependent. One cannot exist without the other. The labour class needs employment and wages, which the capital class provides. The latter needs manpower, which is provided by the working class. Hence, classes are distinguished by economic means of production.
Another distinction happens on the basis of ownership of property. Based on this, there are three predominant classes: the bourgeoisie (they own machinery and factories, and they rely on profits as their income source), landowners (their main source of income is rent from the land), and the proletariat (their main source of income is the wage they get from their labour). Landowners sometimes come under the category of bourgeoisie only.
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Class For Itself and Class In Itself
The labour class is aware of the fact that they belong to the labour class. The people in this class have several common attributes that separate them from people in the capital class. The differences can be realised easily. The labour class in this scenario is a class in itself.
However, Marx believed that just acknowledging that they belong to one class is not enough. Members of that class need to come together for their shared objectives and become a ‘class for itself’. For example, when the labour class becomes aware of their exploitation being carried out by the capital class, they unite and rise up in revolt.
Hence, there is an emergent class consciousness, which becomes the cause of the class struggle.
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What is Class Struggle?
Marx believed that at first, the differences existed at a small scale, between the workers and the owners of a factory, for instance. However, as society advanced and capitalism expanded, this tension became more widespread. The working class everywhere could sense that they are not paid fairly and that they have no say in any aspect of the business.
There was a conflict of interest between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The former wanted full control and a monopoly over profits. They saw the working class only as a means of increasing their profits. The proletariats had limited freedom and choices.
As capitalism expanded, the rich mass-produced goods in factories. There was more wealth than ever, but ironically, there was more poverty than ever. Wealth was concentrated within a very small section of society. Marx wanted to put an end to this class struggle and disparity by empowering proletariats.
There was also a political form of the class struggle in which the proletariats tried to unite and form a political party such that they changed the social system in their favour.
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History of Class Struggle
Class struggle was not something that came into existence during Marx’s lifetime. It has been existent since the dawn of time. When humans learned to make advanced tools, slave-owning societies came into existence. The owners have control over resources, wealth, and slaves in these. They only provided basic necessities to slaves to not die of starvation.
Then came the feudalism system, under which very few people owned lands and hired people to protect and work on their lands. This lasted for a very long time and kept owners at a significant advantage.
Then, the industrial revolution came along, but it did not do anything better for the class struggle. The social fabric was still similar to pre-existing societies. Very few people owned the most wealth, and most of the people lived in dismal economic conditions.
Conclusion
Karl Marx believed that capitalism would be overthrown, and socialism would prevail. Socialism is when the working class would take control of power in their hands, which would result in income equality and a just society. He wanted the oppression of the working class to end. However, his vision never came to life. Today, classes widely exist, even in countries that follow socialism. The capital class has control over profits, and the working class gets wages for their hard work and labour.
The class struggle continues to exist today as it did at Marx’s time and times before that.
