Proletariat

Proletariat
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The proletariat is a term used to describe the class of wage laborers in a capitalist society who do not own the means of production and whose only significant material value is their labor power. The concept of the proletariat is central to Marxist theory, which posits that the proletariat will eventually rise up to overthrow the bourgeoisie, the class that owns the means of production.

Historical Context

The term "proletariat" originates from the Latin word proletarius, which referred to the lowest class of citizens in ancient Rome. In the context of industrialization and the rise of capitalism in the 19th century, the term was adopted by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels to describe the working class.

Marxist Theory

In Marxism, the proletariat is seen as the revolutionary class that has the potential to overthrow the capitalist system. According to Marx, the proletariat is exploited by the bourgeoisie, who profit from the surplus value generated by the workers' labor. This exploitation leads to class struggle, which Marx believed would culminate in a proletarian revolution.

Modern Usage

Today, the term "proletariat" is often used more broadly to refer to the working class in general, particularly those who perform manual labor or work in low-paying jobs. The concept remains relevant in discussions of economic inequality, labor rights, and social justice.

See Also

• Bourgeoisie
• Class struggle
• Communism
• Socialism
• Labor movement

References

• Marx, Karl; Engels, Friedrich. The Communist Manifesto.
• Das Kapital by Karl Marx.

External Links

• The Communist Manifesto - Full Text