Class struggle

Class struggle is depicted amongst the lower section of the depiction "Pyramid of Capitalist System" by the IWW

Class struggle is the central driving force in human history and society. It refers to the ongoing conflict and antagonism between different social classes resulting from the inherent contradictions within the current mode of production. It is the manifestation their opposing fundamental interests and is the basic means of resolving the contradiction between an existing class structure and the developing forces of production and relations of production.

The essence of class conflict is the opposition between the economic status and material interests of different classes. All class struggles occur on the basis of opposing and conflicting material interests, that is, economic interests, and are ultimately centered around material interests.

Under Capitalism, the principal contradiction is between the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. The Capitalist class profits by extracting surplus value from the labour of the workers, leading to economic exploitation and social oppression. This is the principal contradiction of Capitalism, and why the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat are irreconcilably opposed.

Though it is a common misconception, the concept of class struggle did not originate with Karl Marx. He stated this himself, and Vladimir Lenin in the State & Revolution also made it clear that the idea of class struggle had existed before Marx, and for as long as class societies existed. The Marxist contribution was to link the development of classes, and the struggle between them, to developments in the forces of production; and to say that class struggle would bring about the dictatorship of the proletariat.