proletariat

Definition

The proletariat is the class of workers who do not own any means of production and therefore sell their labor to live. They are a fundamental group in Marxist theory, which predicts their rise against capitalism due to exploitation and inequality.

Analogy

Think of a large orchestra where the musicians (proletariat) play instruments (labor) they don't own, while the conductor (capitalist) owns the orchestra and decides on the music, tempo, and direction without playing an instrument.

Related terms

Marxism: A social, political, and economic theory originated by Karl Marx, which advocates for a classless society where all property is publicly owned.

Bourgeoisie: The class that owns the means of production in capitalist societies, often employing or exploiting the proletariat for profit.

Class struggle: The conflict of interests between the workers and the owning classes in a capitalist society, often leading to political and social change