Class Struggle – The Forgotten Fight Over Wealth and Inequality
For most of history, politics was about class. The fight between workers and elites, the struggle over wages, jobs, and wealth distribution — this was the backbone of social change.
Today, though, class struggle has all but vanished from mainstream debate. Instead, we argue about identity, language, and symbolism. The old fight over wealth and inequality has been buried under culture wars — and that silence suits those at the top just fine.
Table of contents
What Is Class Struggle?
Class struggle is the conflict between those who own wealth and those who produce it. From peasant revolts to labour unions, from Marx to modern protest movements, class has always been the line that shapes society.
When workers unite around shared economic interests, they have the power to challenge elites. That’s exactly why elites prefer we fight over anything else.
How Identity Replaced Class
Over the last few decades, debates about identity — race, gender, sexuality — have pushed class out of the spotlight. Identity issues matter, but they don’t threaten corporate profits in the way demands for higher wages, fair taxation, or union rights do.
By turning politics into a battle of cultural identities, elites split potential solidarity into smaller, competing groups. The result? Workers argue among themselves while inequality soars.
The Reality of Inequality
Despite decades of “progressive” politics, inequality is worse than ever.
- Wages stagnate while CEO pay skyrockets.
- Wealth concentrates in fewer hands every year.
- Young generations face worse housing, job security, and savings than their parents.
These are class issues. Yet they rarely dominate headlines. Instead, we debate statues, pronouns, and slogans.
Who Benefits from Forgetting Class?
- Corporations love it — identity campaigns are cheaper than raising wages.
- Politicians prefer safe symbolic battles to tackling corporate power.
- Media profits from outrage stories instead of covering dry economics.
Everyone wins — except the working and middle classes, who see their struggles ignored.
Why Class Still Matters
Class cuts across every identity. A poor worker, regardless of gender or race, has more in common with another worker than with the wealthy elite.
Ignoring class means ignoring the root of inequality. Without class solidarity, politics turns into theatre: endless fights over identity while wealth keeps flowing upwards.
Conclusion
Class struggle is the forgotten fight — buried under woke politics and culture wars. It has been replaced with battles that divide, distract, and ultimately protect elites.
The truth is simple: without addressing class, there is no real equality. Until we put wealth and power back at the centre of politics, the struggle will remain forgotten — and inequality will only grow.
FAQ Section
What is class struggle?
It’s the conflict between workers and elites over wealth, wages, and power.
Why is class struggle “forgotten”?
Because identity politics dominates debate, sidelining the fight against inequality.
Who benefits when class struggle is ignored?
Corporations, politicians, and media, who avoid addressing economic inequality while profiting from culture wars.
Why does class still matter?
Because inequality is rooted in wealth and power. Without class solidarity, society remains divided and inequality grows.
