Proletariat: The Working Class
From Ancient Rome to Industrial Factories
The word "proletariat" has ancient roots. It comes from the Latin word proles, meaning "offspring." In the class system of Ancient Rome, the proletarii were the poorest citizens who owned no property. Their only contribution to the state was seen as their children (proles) – the future soldiers and workers. Their societal role was defined by their lack of material possessions.
The term was revived and given its modern meaning during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries. This period saw a massive shift as people moved from farming in the countryside to working in factories in growing cities. Craftsmen who once owned their own tools became factory workers who used machines owned by someone else. This created a clear divide:
- Bourgeoisie/Capitalist Class: Those who owned the factories, machines, raw materials, and capital needed for production.
- Proletariat/Working Class: Those who had only their ability to work (their labor power), which they sold to the capitalists in exchange for a wage.
This relationship forms the core of the modern definition: the proletariat sells its labor power to those who own the means of production.
Key Characteristics of the Proletariat
Several defining features distinguish the proletariat from other social classes. Understanding these helps clarify who belongs to this group.
| Characteristic | Proletariat (Working Class) | Bourgeoisie (Capitalist Class) | Petite Bourgeoisie (Small Owners) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership of Means of Production | Does not own. Works with tools/factories owned by others. | Owns significant capital, factories, machinery, etc. | Owns small-scale means (e.g., a family shop, a few machines). Often works alongside employees. |
| Primary Source of Income | Wages or salary from selling labor. | Profit from investments, ownership, and surplus value[4]. | Mixed: profit from own business and personal labor. |
| Economic Security | Generally lower; dependent on continued employment. | Generally high; wealth is stored in assets. | Variable; can be precarious, as business success fluctuates. |
| Role in Production Process | Performs the labor. | Organizes production, makes strategic decisions. | Performs labor and manages the small business. |
Concepts Linked to the Proletariat
Several important ideas are closely connected to the study of the proletariat.
Class Struggle: This is the idea that history is a sequence of conflicts between social classes with opposing interests. In the capitalist era, the primary struggle is seen as between the proletariat (seeking higher wages, better conditions, job security) and the bourgeoisie (seeking higher profits, lower costs, flexible labor). This conflict can manifest in unions negotiating contracts, strikes, or broader political movements.
Alienation: This describes a feeling of disconnection experienced by workers. Under capitalist production, a worker might feel: 1. Alienated from the product: They make a part of a phone but cannot afford the final product. 2. Alienated from the work process: The job is repetitive, monotonous, and controlled by managers. 3. Alienated from other people: Work becomes competitive rather than cooperative. 4. Alienated from human potential: The job doesn't allow for creativity or full use of one's abilities.
Surplus Value: This is a central economic concept. It refers to the difference between the value a worker produces and the wage they are paid. If a worker's labor adds $150 of value to products in a day, but they are paid $80, the surplus value of $70 is retained by the owner. The mathematical representation is simple: $ SV = V - W $ where $SV$ is Surplus Value, $V$ is the Value created by the worker's labor, and $W$ is the Wage paid.
The Modern Working Class: Beyond the Factory
While the classic image of the proletariat is a factory worker, the definition has expanded. Today's "working class" or "wage-earning class" includes a vast array of jobs where people sell their labor without owning the business. This includes:
- Service Sector Employees: Cashiers, waitstaff, call center agents, delivery drivers.
- White-Collar Employees: Office administrators, data entry clerks, many retail managers.
- Gig Economy Workers: Ride-share drivers, food delivery couriers, freelancers on digital platforms.
- Public Sector Workers: Teachers, nurses, firefighters, civil servants (employed by the state).
The common thread remains: they rely on a wage or salary for survival and do not own the "platform" (like the app), school, hospital, or retail chain where they work. The rise of the gig economy highlights a modern form of this relationship: the driver owns their car (a tool), but the essential means of production—the ride-matching software, the customer base, the pricing algorithm—is owned by the tech company.
Important Questions
Q1: Is a highly-paid software engineer part of the proletariat?
This is a modern debate. By the strict definition—selling labor for a wage and not owning the means of production—yes, they are. They use company computers and software to write code that creates value for the company owner/shareholders. However, their high salary, stock options, and comfortable lifestyle can blur the lines. They might be described as a "salaried bourgeoisie" or "labor aristocracy," meaning they are well-compensated workers whose high standard of living may align their interests more with the capitalist class than with lower-wage workers.
Q2: Can someone be part of the proletariat and own property, like a house?
Yes. Ownership of personal property (a house, a car, personal belongings) is different from ownership of the means of production (capital used to generate profit). A factory worker who has a mortgage still must work for a wage to pay it. They do not own the factory where they work. Their house is for personal use, not a business asset that employs others for profit. The key distinction is between private property (capital) and personal property (consumption goods).
Q3: Has the concept of the proletariat become outdated?
Not outdated, but evolved. The traditional industrial working class has shrunk in some developed countries, but the fundamental employer-employee relationship based on wage labor is more widespread than ever. New forms of insecure, low-benefit, and platform-mediated work have emerged. Understanding the proletariat helps us analyze issues like income inequality, job automation, and workers' rights in the 21st century, even if the workplace is now an office, a coffee shop, or the inside of a car.
The concept of the proletariat provides a powerful lens for understanding economic relationships and social structure. From its origins in Rome to its shaping during the Industrial Revolution, it defines a class whose primary asset is its capacity to work. While the jobs and tools have changed—from loom to laptop to smartphone app—the core condition of selling one's labor power to those who control capital remains a reality for the majority of people. Studying the proletariat is not just about history; it's about analyzing the present, understanding dynamics of power and value in the economy, and considering the future of work itself.
Footnote
[1] Labor: The physical and mental effort used in the production of goods and services.
[2] Capital: In economics, assets (money, machinery, tools, buildings) that can be used to produce further wealth.
[3] Means of Production: The physical and non-physical assets used to produce economic value, such as factories, machines, land, raw materials, technology, and infrastructure.
[4] Surplus Value: The value produced by workers that exceeds the cost of their own labor (wage), which is retained as profit by the owner of the means of production.