That classes compete to defend their economic and political interests. That many historical changes can be seen as involving the emergence of a new ruling class.
According to Marx, all of history is a record of class struggle.
Marx believed that the basic struggle in society is between the working class (proletariat) and the owning class (bourgeoisie) over control of resources and power.
Marx's theory of historical materialism builds on the ideas of philosophers such as Hegel, Feuerbach, and Smith. He adopts Hegel's dialectical method to analyze societal progression, Feuerbach's critique of religion as a tool for social control, and Smith's focus on economic systems and class struggle. Marx synthesizes these ideas to develop his theory of capitalism, class conflict, and the struggle for a communist society.
Karl Marx developed the theory of Marxism, which explains the relationship between social classes through the concept of class struggle and the idea that history is driven by the conflict between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat). Marx believed that this conflict would ultimately lead to the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a classless society.
Karl Marx, a German sociologist, was most interested in how society is divided based on social class and economic inequality. He developed the theory of social conflict, emphasizing the struggle between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat).
Karl Marx
Karl Marx
Karl Marx
The theory that history is a continuous clash between conflicting ideas and forces was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, known as historical materialism or dialectical materialism. They argued that societal development is driven by class struggle and the conflict between the ruling elites and the oppressed working class.
Karl Marx influenced the development of sociology by introducing the concept of social class and the idea that society is shaped by economic factors. His theories on capitalism, class struggle, and the exploitation of the working class laid the foundation for the study of social structures and inequalities in sociology. Marx's work continues to be a significant influence in sociological theory and research.
The idea of class struggle goes back many centuries, it is not likely that anyone can say exactly who originally thought of the concept. Though Karl Marx is most often the person discussed when issues relating to class struggle come up because class strugle was so integral to Marx's whole way of thinking about economics, history, politics, everything.
The term "proletariat" was coined by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their writings on socialist theory and the class struggle in the 19th century. It refers to the working class who sell their labor power for wages in a capitalist society.