Bourgeois society

Bourgeois society, also known as capitalist society, is the dominant society of the modern age. Formed during the bourgeois revolutions of the 1700-1800s, it is heavily influenced by the ideas of free-market capitalism, and private ownership of the means of production. It is increasingly being challenged by Marxist and Anarchist movements, and it is also showing signs of weakness due to its many contradictions.

Classes

There were 4 main classes identified by Karl Marx and Frederich Engels.

Bourgeoisie

The Bourgeoisie is the class that owns large quantities of capital, and which hires laborers from the proletarian class to provide labor. By owning capital, they appropriate the value gained by selling commodities on the market, and give as part of their revenue a wage to the workers, which is a small portion of the total revenue. In capitalism, they are the ruling class, and they are the ones who control the state, using it to repress the other classes.

Petit-Bourgeoisie

The petit-bourgeoisie consists of those people who own small quantities of capital, such as stores, small farms, or private offices, and who contribute their own labor to their production (although they may also hire a small staff of laborers). Unable to exist as a class in a rapidly advancing capitalist economy, the most lucky among them reach the upper ranks of the bourgeoisie whereas most of them fall backwards into the proletariat.

Proletariat

The proletariat is the working class. They contribute labor, as it is the only thing they have to contribute. They make their living by earning wages, which are as low as they can possibly be, and get lower over time. They represent the most revolutionary and advanced class in capitalism.

Lumpenproletariat

The lumpenproletariat consists of the lowest groups in society, such as beggars, and common criminals.