Which term describes the working class in Marxist theory?

In Marxist theory, the term that describes the working class is "proletariat." This group comprises individuals who sell their labor power for wages and do not own the means of production. The concept of the proletariat is central to Marx's analysis of class struggle, where they are positioned in opposition to the bourgeoisie, the capitalist class that owns the means of production and profits from the labor of the proletariat.

This distinction is crucial in understanding the dynamics of economic systems and social relations within capitalist societies. The proletariat is viewed as exploited by the bourgeoisie, leading to the class conflict that Marx predicted would ultimately drive social change. This understanding highlights the relationships of power and economic inequality present in capitalist systems, reinforcing the importance of the proletariat in Marxist thought.

Other terms like bourgeoisie refer specifically to the owning class, while capitalists often symbolize those who invest in and manage businesses for profit. The elite can denote a broader category that may include affluent individuals from various classes, but in the context of Marxist theory, the focus is specifically on the proletariat as the working class.