Your Politics Guide

• Class Struggle: Socialists argue that history is shaped by the conflict between different social classes, especially between the working class (proletariat) and the owning class (bourgeoisie). This is described by Marx as dialectical materialism.
• Economic Inequality: Class divisions are seen as the main source of economic inequality. If wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few then poverty will affect the many. This leads to desperation which causes social unrest.
• Collective Action: Socialists believe that the working class must act collectively to challenge the dominance of the ruling class. This can be through trade unions or political parties. Marxists would be in favour of revolutionary movements.
• Redistribution of Wealth: Policies such as progressive taxation are promoted to reduce inequalities.
• Classless Society: The ultimate goal for many socialists is to create a classless society. This is when everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities.

• Critics argue that focusing on class can ignore other important social divisions, such as gender and ethnicity.
• Some claim that attempts to abolish class can lead to excessive state intervention. State intervention has been denoted as inefficient due to beuracy which can lead to lack of innovation.
• Others believe that class divisions are less relevant in modern economies. This is due to the rise of the middle class (although this is declining in recent years).

Social class is central to socialism. While its importance is debated by critics, socialists continue to see class as a key factor in shaping society. It is the idea that sparks the drive for change.