With the changes in the working modes and living conditions of the working class in developed capitalist countries, the argument of the “disappearance of the proletariat” has emerged and produced considerable influence in the academic circle. In order to respond to this argument, we must go back to the classic writings of Marxism, examine and restore the original meaning of the concept of “the proletariat” developed by Marx and Engels, and refer to the new changes in contemporary capitalist society to make a new interpretation of the concept of “the proletariat” that is in line with the characteristics of the times. “Being compelled by their lack of ownership of the means of production to sell their labor power to capitalists to earn a living” is the core feature of “the proletariat” described by Marx and Engels. In the modern world, the persistence of social groups of this profile demonstrates the continued strong explanatory power and applicability of the concept in contemporary times. It is worth noting that the new changes in contemporary capitalist society objectively constitute a challenge to Marx and Engels’ conception of “the proletariat”. As modern Marxists, we should defend and develop the concept of “the proletariat” in the modern context, and make new provisions and interpretations of “the proletariat” on the premise of adhering to its rational core. Specifically, the scope of application of this concept should be expanded from the narrow sense of material production to the broad field of labor with much diversity, and the targeted group of the concept should be adjusted from the absolute poor to the relatively poor, thereby endowing this classic concept with stronger and broader explanatory power.

Editor: Zhong Yao、Zheng Yifan

From:Teaching and Research.2023.No.1.