Term used by Marxist economists to denote the social class that owns property and financial assets and thus derives income from investments. Also may be used to refer to the middle and upper classes and the prevailing social values of mainstream society.
Class struggle refers to the antagonism between social classes resulting from different economic and social interests. First identified by Karl Marx, it highlights the conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and the nonowning employees (proletariat).
