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In sociology, the '''ruling class''' is | [[File:Pyramid of Capitalist System.png|thumb|178x178px|Pyramid of the Capitalist System.]] | ||
In [[sociology]], the '''ruling class''' (also known as the '''oppressive class''') is the [[social class]] which holds [[state]] [[Political power|power]] and consequently sets the political agenda of a given [[society]]. | |||
Under [[capitalism]], the ruling class consists of [[Bourgeoisie|capitalists]], the [[Private property|private owners of industry]]. They are sometimes referred to as the '''oligarchy''' in public discourse. [[Dialectics|Dialectically]], the existence of a ruling class presupposes the existence of other classes in a social formation, which are called the oppressed classes. Under capitalism, this consists of the [[proletariat]], the [[peasantry]], and ([[Imperialism|at its most advanced stage]]) the [[National bourgeoisie|national]] and [[petite bourgeoisie]]. | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
Historically, the ruling class has transitioned according to changes in the [[mode of production]]. Under [[feudalism]], the ruling class was comprised of feudal lords, under [[slavery]], the ruling class was the | Historically, the ruling class has transitioned according to changes in the [[mode of production]]. Under [[feudalism]], the ruling class was comprised of feudal lords, under [[slavery]], the ruling class was the slave-owners, and so on. | ||
In the modern era of [[imperialism]] and capitalist globalization the ruling class is a network of transnational capitalists which do not have allegiance to any nation; their only allegiance is to their personal accumulation of wealth (and the facilitating of that accumulation). | |||
== Assessments == | |||
Both [[Karl Marx]] and [[Vladimir Lenin]] have pointed out that [[Western]] [[Bourgeois democracy|parliamentarism]] only serves to provide political legitimacy to the ruling classes of those countries, while the masses they supposedly "represent" remain repressed in reality.<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Vladimir Lenin]]|year=1918|title=The state and revolution|chapter=Experience of the Paris Commune of 1871. Marx's analysis|section=Abolition of parliamentarism|city=Moscow|publisher=Progress Publishers|mia=https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/staterev/}}</ref> | |||
[[Mao Zedong]] highlighted the importance of enforcing class rule of [[the people]] over the [[reactionaries]], in order to prevent [[counterrevolution]] by foreign imperialists and domestic [[Comprador|compradors]].<ref>{{Citation|author=[[Mao Zedong]]|year=1949|title=On the People's Democratic Dictatorship|quote=Revolutionary dictatorship and counter-revolutionary dictatorship are by nature opposites, but the former was learned from the latter... If the revolutionary people do not master this method of ruling over the counter-revolutionary classes, they will not be able to maintain their state power, domestic and foreign reaction will overthrow that power and restore its own rule over China, and disaster will befall the revolutionary people.}}</ref> | |||
== See Also == | |||
* [[Class struggle]] | |||
* [[Dictatorship of the Proletariat|Dictatorship of the proletariat]] | |||
* [[Dictatorship of the bourgeoisie]] | |||
== References == | |||
[[Category:Social class]] | [[Category:Social class]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:42, 25 September 2025
In sociology, the ruling class (also known as the oppressive class) is the social class which holds state power and consequently sets the political agenda of a given society.
Under capitalism, the ruling class consists of capitalists, the private owners of industry. They are sometimes referred to as the oligarchy in public discourse. Dialectically, the existence of a ruling class presupposes the existence of other classes in a social formation, which are called the oppressed classes. Under capitalism, this consists of the proletariat, the peasantry, and (at its most advanced stage) the national and petite bourgeoisie.
History[edit | edit source]
Historically, the ruling class has transitioned according to changes in the mode of production. Under feudalism, the ruling class was comprised of feudal lords, under slavery, the ruling class was the slave-owners, and so on.
In the modern era of imperialism and capitalist globalization the ruling class is a network of transnational capitalists which do not have allegiance to any nation; their only allegiance is to their personal accumulation of wealth (and the facilitating of that accumulation).
Assessments[edit | edit source]
Both Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin have pointed out that Western parliamentarism only serves to provide political legitimacy to the ruling classes of those countries, while the masses they supposedly "represent" remain repressed in reality.[1]
Mao Zedong highlighted the importance of enforcing class rule of the people over the reactionaries, in order to prevent counterrevolution by foreign imperialists and domestic compradors.[2]
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Vladimir Lenin (1918). The state and revolution: 'Experience of the Paris Commune of 1871. Marx's analysis; Abolition of parliamentarism'. Moscow: Progress Publishers. [MIA]
- ↑ “Revolutionary dictatorship and counter-revolutionary dictatorship are by nature opposites, but the former was learned from the latter... If the revolutionary people do not master this method of ruling over the counter-revolutionary classes, they will not be able to maintain their state power, domestic and foreign reaction will overthrow that power and restore its own rule over China, and disaster will befall the revolutionary people.”
Mao Zedong (1949). On the People's Democratic Dictatorship.