Which term is the labor class in Marxist theory?

Which term is the labor class in Marxist theory?

• A. Bourgeoisie
• B. Proletariat
• C. Capitalism
• D. Power

Answer: (B)

Marxist theory defines social groups by their relationship to the means of production. The labor class consists of workers who must sell their labor power because they own little or no productive property themselves, and they contribute the actual labor that creates value. In this framework, the term for this group is the proletariat—the working class that produces value for those who own the means of production. The other terms refer to the owners of production (the bourgeoisie), the economic system as a whole (capitalism), or a general notion of influence (power), none of which name the specific class defined by selling labor. Understanding this distinction helps explain why Marx emphasized class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie under capitalist society.

Marxist theory defines social groups by their relationship to the means of production. The labor class consists of workers who must sell their labor power because they own little or no productive property themselves, and they contribute the actual labor that creates value. In this framework, the term for this group is the proletariat—the working class that produces value for those who own the means of production. The other terms refer to the owners of production (the bourgeoisie), the economic system as a whole (capitalism), or a general notion of influence (power), none of which name the specific class defined by selling labor. Understanding this distinction helps explain why Marx emphasized class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie under capitalist society.