What is the Difference Between Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

The main difference between bourgeoisie and proletariat is that bourgeoisie refers to the capitalists who own the means of production and most of the wealth in the society whereas proletariat refers to a class of workers who do not own means of production and must sell their labour to survive.

Bourgeoisie and Proletariat are the two main social classes Karl Marx identified in his theory of Marxism. The membership in these two social groups depends on the ownership of the means of production. Moreover, these two social groups are interdependent; for the bourgeois, proletariats are a source of profit while for proletariats, the bourgeois is a source of employment.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Bourgeoisie 
    – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Proletariat
    – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Relationship Between Bourgeoisie and Proletariat
    – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Bourgeoisie and Proletariat
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Bourgeoisie, Marxist Theory, Proletariat

What is Bourgeoisie?

In Marxism, bourgeoisie refers to the capitalist class who own most of society’s wealth and means of production. According to Karl Marx, during the medieval era, bourgeoise consisted of businessmen such as bankers and merchants. Their economic role was similar to that of an intermediary – between feudal lords and peasants.

However, by the time of the industrial revolution and capitalism, bourgeois has become an economically powerful class of people. They owned the means of production, i.e., capital, land and property, and had control over the means of coercion, i.e., the legal system, police forces, etc. This ownership of production allowed the bourgeois to exploit the wage-earning workers, whose only economic means was their labour. Meanwhile, the ownership of means of coercion helps the bourgeois to suppress the working class and maintain their status quo.

What is Proletariat?

In Marxism, proletariat refers to a class of workers who do not own means of production (no capital or property) and survive by selling their labour. To be more specific, they are wage earners who work in industrial production and whose main income is the sale of their labour power. Moreover, this class is considered to be oppressed by the wage system and capitalism. In addition, proletariats often live in poverty. However, the proletariat is distinguished in Marxism from workers, the poor and Lumpenproletariat.

Furthermore, according to Marxist theory, the oppression proletariats face gives them political and economic interests, which puts them in a position to unite and snatch the power away from the capitalists. This will, in turn, create a communist society, which is free from class distinctions.

Relationship Between Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

According to Marx, capitalism is based on the exploitation of proletariats by the bourgeoisie. The proletariats, who have no means of production, use the means of production of others to produce goods and services in order to earn a living. However, these goods and services become the property of capitalists who own the means of production. Thus, it is the capitalists who sell the goods and services at the market and earn money.

Difference Between Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

Definition

Bourgeoisie refers to the capitalists who own the means of production and most of the wealth in the society whereas proletariat refers to wage earners who do not own means of production and must sell their labour to survive.

Means of Production

Whereas bourgeoise owns the means of production, proletariat does not own means of production and survive by selling their labour.

Exploitation

In addition, bourgeoise exploits proletariats and makes massive profits. Proletariats, who are exploited by the bourgeois, generally earn a minimum wage and live in poverty.

Conclusion

Bourgeoisie refers to the capitalists who own the means of production and most of the wealth in the society whereas proletariat refers to a class of workers who do not own means of production and must sell their labour to survive. Thus, this is the main difference between bourgeoisie and proletariat. Furthermore, according to Karl Marx, capitalism is based on the exploitation of proletariats by the bourgeoisie.

Reference:

1. “Proletariat.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 26 Sept. 2017, Available here.
2. “Bourgeoisie.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Dec. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Evil Wordle: Marx and Engles’ The Communist Manifesto” By Purple Slog (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Capitalism” By Ryan Cragun – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia