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The '''bourgeoisie''' is the [[ruling class]] in [[Capitalism|capitalist]] society; it owns the [[means of production]] and has a decisive influence on production. It lives off of [[surplus value]] which it obtains by exploiting the [[labour power]] of the [[proletariat]]. | The '''bourgeoisie''' is the [[ruling class]] in [[Capitalism|capitalist]] society; it owns the [[means of production]] and has a decisive influence on production. It lives off of [[surplus value]] which it obtains by exploiting the [[labour power]] of the [[proletariat]].<ref name="GSE">[http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Bourgeoisie "Bourgeoisie"]. ''The Great Soviet Encyclopedia,'' 3rd Edition (1970-1979).</ref> | ||
In contemporary language, "[[capitalist]]" is synonymous with "bourgeoisie, and "[[working class]]" with proletariat. | In contemporary language, "[[capitalist]]" is synonymous with "bourgeoisie, and "[[working class]]" with proletariat. | ||
==History== | |||
Throughout history, the term "bourgeoisie" has had different meanings, reflecting different historical conditions. While in the Middle Ages, the bourgeoisie was a revolutionary social class during the transition stage between [[feudalism]] and capitalism, in today's age, the bourgeoisie is a [[reactionary]] class, fighting against the development of [[productive forces]] when there is not [[surplus value]] to be extracted from workers. In contrast, the [[proletariat]] is the revolutionary class which will liberate the productive forces and develop the socialist [[mode of production]]. | Throughout history, the term "bourgeoisie" has had different meanings, reflecting different historical conditions. While in the Middle Ages, the bourgeoisie was a revolutionary social class during the transition stage between [[feudalism]] and capitalism, in today's age, the bourgeoisie is a [[reactionary]] class, fighting against the development of [[productive forces]] when there is not [[surplus value]] to be extracted from workers. In contrast, the [[proletariat]] is the revolutionary class which will liberate the productive forces and develop the socialist [[mode of production]]. | ||
[[Category:Social class]] | [[Category:Social class]] | ||
Revision as of 19:00, 16 February 2022
The bourgeoisie is the ruling class in capitalist society; it owns the means of production and has a decisive influence on production. It lives off of surplus value which it obtains by exploiting the labour power of the proletariat.[1]
In contemporary language, "capitalist" is synonymous with "bourgeoisie, and "working class" with proletariat.
History
Throughout history, the term "bourgeoisie" has had different meanings, reflecting different historical conditions. While in the Middle Ages, the bourgeoisie was a revolutionary social class during the transition stage between feudalism and capitalism, in today's age, the bourgeoisie is a reactionary class, fighting against the development of productive forces when there is not surplus value to be extracted from workers. In contrast, the proletariat is the revolutionary class which will liberate the productive forces and develop the socialist mode of production.
- ↑ "Bourgeoisie". The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979).