työväenluokan

Työväenluokka refers to the social class of people who are employed for wages, especially in manual or industrial work. Historically, this term gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution as large numbers of people moved from rural areas to urban centers to work in factories and other industrial settings. Members of the working class typically do not own the means of production, such as factories or land, but rather sell their labor power in exchange for a wage.

The composition of the working class has evolved over time. While initially associated with manual laborers, the definition has expanded to include service industry workers, clerical staff, and other occupations that do not involve ownership of capital. The concept is often contrasted with the middle class and the upper class, which are distinguished by factors such as income, education, occupation, and wealth.

The concept of the working class has been central to various political and economic ideologies, most notably Marxism, which views the working class as the proletariat, a class destined to overthrow the bourgeoisie (the capitalist class). Throughout history, working-class people have organized into trade unions and political parties to advocate for their rights, improve working conditions, and achieve greater economic and social equality. Issues such as wages, working hours, job security, and social welfare have been key concerns for working-class movements.