Describe the main points of Karl Marx's theory of class conflict
What will be an ideal response?
German economist and philosopher Karl Marx stressed that history is a continuous
clash between conflicting ideas and forces. He believed that conflict—especially class
conflict—is necessary in order to produce social change and a better society. Class
conflict is the struggle between the capitalist class and the working class. The
capitalist class, or bourgeoisie, comprises those who own and control the means of
production—the tools, land, factories, and money for investment that form the
economic basis of a society. The working class, or proletariat, is composed of those
who must sell their labor because they have no other means to earn a livelihood. The
capitalist class controls and exploits the masses of struggling workers by paying less
than the value of their labor. This exploitation results in the workers' alienation—a
feeling of powerlessness and estrangement from other people and from themselves.
Marx predicted that the working class would become aware of its exploitation,
overthrow the capitalists, and establish a free and classless society.
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