Kapitaleiere

Kapitaleiere is a term used in economics, sociology, and political economy to describe a person or entity that owns capital assets capable of generating income or appreciation. Capital, in this sense, can be financial (such as stocks, bonds, deposits, and other financial instruments) or real (such as land, buildings, equipment, and other productive assets). The concept emphasizes ownership of assets that yield returns and confer influence over production and investment decisions.

In practice, kapitaleiere can range from individual investors and landlords to large corporations, pension funds, or financial institutions. Ownership may be direct, through personal holding of assets, or indirect, via shares in companies, mutual funds, or investment vehicles. As owners, kapitaleiere typically receive income from returns on their assets, including profits, dividends, rents, or interest, and they may possess governance rights that affect how assets are managed.

The term is central to discussions about wealth, power, and inequality in capitalist systems. In Marxist analysis, capital owners control the means of production and extract surplus value from labor. In liberal and institutional frameworks, capital owners are seen as risk-takers who allocate resources efficiently through markets and contractual arrangements. Critics argue that concentrated capital ownership can translate into uneven political influence and social inequality, while proponents emphasize productive investment and voluntary ownership as drivers of economic growth. The concept applies across a spectrum of scales, from small landlords to multinational asset holders.