The term ''ruling class'', in the political sense, originated in [[Karl Marx]]'s work ''The Communist Manifesto''. In it Marx argued that the ruling class changes as the means of production alters, something he called historical materialism. Marx predicted the ruling class, the capitalist bourgeoisie, would be overthrown by the under class, the proletariat. Due to a rise in global living conditions and technological advances, Marx's vision never came to pass. | The term ''ruling class'', in the political sense, originated in [[Karl Marx]]'s work ''The Communist Manifesto''. In it Marx argued that the ruling class changes as the means of production alters, something he called historical materialism. Marx predicted the ruling class, the capitalist bourgeoisie, would be overthrown by the under class, the proletariat. Due to a rise in global living conditions and technological advances, Marx's vision never came to pass. |