III.

The Bourgeoisie and Marxist Theory

The burgeoning Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought about some of the most significant changes in economic history—the development of mechanical power and the factory system and the subsequent growth of urban centers. By then the bourgeois class had expanded greatly. Distinct differences arose between the original bourgeoisie—the capitalists—and the growing numbers of petty bourgeoisie—the shopkeepers and technical and clerical workers. The capitalists tended to be the owners and managers of industries and to associate themselves with the upper classes.

At this time Karl Marx developed his theory of the class struggle. Marx considered the bourgeoisie capitalist class—that is, the employers—a reactionary force that maintains a position of supremacy by holding back the advancement of the proletariat or working class. He predicted that the proletariat would one day rise up to replace the bourgeoisie as the dominant economic class by taking over the means of production (see Communism).