1. The Bourgeoisie, the Proletariat, and Class Struggle
Marxism divides human societies into two parts - the haves and have- nots. The “haves” are the bourgeoisie, and the “have-nots” are the proletariat. In Marxist theory, the bourgeoisie class is concerned only with maintaining their economic superiority. Marx argued that it was historically inevitable that the proletariat would one day overthrow the bourgeoisie class to seize control of the base.
The Bourgeoisie, the Proletariat, and Class Struggle

2. Who is who?
The proletariat are the vast majority of the world’s population. In Marx’s time, this referred to manual laborers in factories. As Marxist theory and economic theory has evolved, the term has grown to include the middle class as well as the working classes.
The bourgeoisie can be defined as economic elites. In Marx’s time, this term referred to industrialists and other “captains of industry.” Over time, the term has been broadened to mean anyone who has control over the means and relations of production.

3. Relation to Base/Superstructure
The interests of the bourgeoisie - to generate and keep wealth - are at the heart of both
The superstructure exists to justify the conditions of the base to the proletariat
Marxist critics examine the parts of culture that make up the superstructure
The most important part of the superstructure is ideology

4. In Marxist theory, an ideology is a belief system that arises as a product of culture. Ideologies appear to be natural ways of seeing the world, but as part of the superstructure, they actually serve the interests of the bourgeoisie.
What is Ideology?

5. Total net worth of households in the United States - $81 trillion
What percentage of that wealth is owned by each group?
Bottom 90%
Middle 7%
Top 3%
$81,000,000,000,000,000
Total net worth of households in the United States - $81 trillion

6. Actual Wealth Distribution