arbeidersstrijd

Arbeidersstrijd is a term used in Marxist and socialist discourse to describe the ongoing conflict between the working class and the capitalist class over control of production, social power, and the distribution of wealth. Etymologically, it combines arbeider (worker) and strijd (struggle). In this tradition, the struggle encompasses both immediate labor actions—such as strikes, protests, and collective bargaining—and longer-term political processes aimed at reshaping economic and political institutions, including the organization of labor unions, participation in electoral politics, and international solidarity.

Historically, the concept has been prominent in Dutch-speaking labor movements and socialist currents since the 19th century, and it has been used to frame both reformist and revolutionary strategies. Proponents argue that workers must organize to negotiate with capital and to democratize decisions about production; critics within reformist currents caution against excessive militancy and emphasize incremental improvements within existing institutions.

Today, arbeidersstrijd is used in academic and political discourse to analyze changes in wage relations, employment, automation, and globalization, and to describe ongoing collective action by workers at local, national, and global levels. The term remains part of discussions about class, power, and the methods by which workers can influence economic and political life.