Class struggle

Class struggle is depicted amongst the lower section of the depiction "Pyramid of Capitalist System" by the IWW

Class struggle refers to the opposition and struggle between opposing social classes. It is the manifestation their opposing fundamental interests and is the basic means of resolving the contradiction between an existing class structure and the developing forces of production and relations of production.

The essence of class conflict is the opposition between the economic status and material interests of different classes. All class struggles occur on the basis of opposing and conflicting material interests, that is, economic interests, and are ultimately centered around material interests.

In a class society, the class struggle first takes place between the two basic classes in each social form, such as the struggle between the peasantry and the landlord class in feudal society, and the struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie in capitalist society.

Though it is a common misconception, the doctrine of class struggle did not originate with Karl Marx. He stated this himself, and Vladimir Lenin in the State & Revolution also made it clear that the idea of class struggle had existed before Marx. The Marxist contribution was to link the development of classes, and the struggle between them, to developments in the forces of production; and to say that class struggle would bring about the dictatorship of the proletariat.