The term "proletariat" refers to the working class or laborers in a capitalist society, particularly those who do not own the means of production (such as factories, land, or machinery) and must sell their labor to survive. The concept of the proletariat has been central to socialist and Marxist thought, which emphasizes class struggle, exploitation, and the potential for revolutionary change.
Key aspects of the proletariat class and its role in capitalist societies include: