workingclass

The working class is a social group defined largely by wage labor and limited ownership of productive assets. In Marxist theory, it corresponds to the proletariat, people who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor to survive.

In contemporary sociology, the working class includes a range of occupations from manual trades (construction, manufacturing, maintenance) to some service and clerical roles, depending on country and context. It is typically contrasted with middle-class occupations that require higher education and professional authority, and with the upper class defined by asset ownership and capital. The boundaries of the term can vary across societies and over time.

Economic and social characteristics often associated with the working class include wage dependence, exposure to economic cycles, and, in many countries, stronger historical union presence or collective bargaining. In many places, the term also intersects with income level, educational attainment, and regional differences, contributing to distinct cultural identities.

Historical development shows the rise of industrial capitalism in the 19th century giving birth to a defined working class as people sold labor for wages. Labor movements and unions emerged to improve wages and working conditions. In the late 20th and 21st centuries, deindustrialization, globalization, and automation have changed the composition of the working class, expanding service roles and increasing precarity in many regions.

The term is contested and fluid; its precise boundaries vary by country, industry, and methodology. Some researchers emphasize income and occupation, while others focus on class consciousness and political behavior. Related terms include proletariat and blue-collar, with "working class" and "working-class" being the common forms; "workingclass" is less standard but may appear in some datasets or headlines.