Capitalism, bourgeois

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bureaucratic leadership of the of production in which the Labour and trade union move- means of production (factories, ment. tools, raw materials, etc) are A historically-evolved mode Early capitalism privately owned by a minority capitalist class-the bourgeoisie, which uses them to accumulate surplus value, profit, through the exploitation of a propertyless working class-the proletariat, which owns nothing but its ability to work.

It is an anarchic system in which each individual capitalist concern competes against each other concern for a share of the market in which the supreme issue is the accumulation of capital, not human need.

Between the two main classes, lies an ill-defined petty-bourgeoisie, which ranges from professional and managerial workers, through intellectuals, self-employed and smail farmers and businessmen.

The petty bourgeoisie in backward capitalist economies overlaps with the peasantrysmall holders on the land.

Both the urban petty bourgeoisie and the peasantry can and must be won to the side of the working class in revolutionary struggles, given a firm leadership and a correct combination of democratic and transitional demands.

If this is not done, then this unstable social stratum will fall under the leadership of the bourgeoisie, providing the raw material for reactionary and even fascist movements designed to smash the working class movement.

Bourgeois ideology is the term used to refer to the system of laws, customs, ideas and philosophy elaborated by the bourgeoisie in defence of its class interests-its private ownership of the means of production and other property, and its "right" to exploit the working class.

Also within the scope of bourgeois ideology are those