Karl Marx is considered an important theorist in the study of class because he was the first to develop the concept of class struggle. He believed that history is a series of struggles between the oppressor and the oppressed.
Philosopher believed that society is divided into two main classes – the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie are those who own the means of production, while the proletariat are those who sell their labour in order to survive. He believed that these two classes were locked in competition with each other with one trying to dominate over the other. He argued that this struggle would eventually lead to a revolution when the oppressed workers overthrew their masters and took control over production.
In addition, Marx believed that these struggles were inevitable, and that capitalism would eventually collapse from its internal contradictions. The collapse of capitalism would lead to violent conflict between classes, ending with a revolution that would usher in a new world order based on equality and justice for all people.
Marx’s theory of class struggle has been criticised by many historians since he published it in The Communist Manifesto in 1848. Marx himself believed that the capitalist system was on its way out, but this hasn’t happened yet. In fact, many countries still operate under a capitalist economic system today (such as America). Marx’s ideas have had a major impact on social theory, politics and economics. He was one of the founders of communism, which remains one of the most influential ideologies in modern society.
