Klassivõitlus

Klassivõitlus refers to the conflict of interests between different social classes in a society, particularly between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (working class). This concept is central to Marxist theory, which posits that history is driven by such class struggles. Marx argued that the exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie leads to inherent tension and antagonism.

The bourgeoisie, by controlling capital and the means of production like factories and land, are able to extract surplus value from the labor of the proletariat. This surplus value forms the basis of profit for the capitalists. The proletariat, owning only their labor power, must sell it to the bourgeoisie to survive, often under conditions that are not favorable to them. This power imbalance, according to Marxist analysis, breeds resentment and a desire for change among the working class.

Klassivõitlus can manifest in various ways, including economic struggles like strikes and wage negotiations, as well as political action aimed at reforming or overthrowing the existing social and economic system. Marx believed that this struggle would ultimately lead to a proletarian revolution, resulting in a classless society where the means of production are collectively owned and controlled, thus ending exploitation. While the term is most closely associated with Marxist thought, discussions of class conflict and its impact on society are present in various sociological and economic theories.