According to Karl Marx, what exists between workers and capitalists?

Karl Marx's analysis of the relationship between workers and capitalists is grounded in his theory of class struggle. According to Marx, the economic system of capitalism inherently creates a conflict of interest between these two groups. Workers, or the proletariat, sell their labor to survive, while capitalists, or the bourgeoisie, own the means of production and seek to maximize profit. This profit is often derived from paying workers less than the value of the goods they produce, leading to exploitation.

Marx believed that this dynamic creates a fundamental conflict as the interests of workers and capitalists are opposed. The capitalists aim to reduce costs and increase profits, often at the expense of workers’ wages and conditions, while workers strive for better wages, job security, and labor rights. This ongoing struggle highlights the inherent contradictions within capitalism, marking the relationship with conflict rather than harmony, competition, or support. Thus, the concept of conflict is central to understanding Marx’s critique of capitalist society.