The lumpenproletariat is a term for anyone who is unemployed for long periods of time for any reason such that they don't actively contribute to economic production. This is a Marxist term that was coined by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Communism is unfriendly to the lumpenproletariat that are viewed with disdain as an unproductive, undeserving and unthinking class devoid of class consciousness or potential. As such, they aren't well supported and potentially subject to oppression in a communism society. The following are examples of how the lumpenproletariat are treated by communist theory and societies.
Unproductive
Anyone who doesn't actively offer labor to the economy is potentially viewed as lumpenproletariat. The elderly are usually excluded, particularly pensioners who previously offered labor to society. Beyond that, there is little sympathy in the definition such that the nonworking disabled, sick and incarcerated are included. Unemployed intelligentsia may also be included, potentially including artists and other creative individuals who are productive but not commercially successful.
Unorganizable
Communism is completely based on the revolutionary potential and class consciousness of the working class. Marxist theory views the lumpenproletariat as unthinking, opportunistic and devoid of revolutionary potential. They are traditionally described as unorganizable by Marxist theorists and activists.
Stigmatized
The lumprenproletariat, this passive decaying matter of the lowest layers of the old society, is here and there thrust into the movement by a proletarian revolution; in accordance with its whole way of life, it is more likely to sell out to reactionary intrigues. ~ Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Manifesto of the Communist Party
Marxist theory isn't friendly to all poor people but is oriented to the interests of labor. The lumpenproletariat is completely stigmatized in a hostile way as undeserving and lacking potential beginning with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and continuing with actual communist societies. For example, the USSR historically stigmatized alcoholics as lazy and unpatriotic in propaganda.
Notes
An argument could be made that forms of capitalism, particularly social market economies, are far more friendly to the nonworking poor than communism. As communism forces equality of outcome regardless of talent or effort, it may create hostility to perceived "laziness" or "weakness." This is reinforced by the derogatory view of the nonworking poor found in communist theory."Lumpen" can be translated as ragged, ramble or scoundrel.
Stallybrass, Peter. "Marx and heterogeneity: thinking the lumpenproletariat." Representations 31 (1990): 69-95.Thoburn, Nicholas. "Difference in Marx: the lumpenproletariat and the proletarian unnamable." Economy and Society 31.3 (2002): 434-460.Marx, Karl, and Frederick Engels. "Manifesto of the Communist Party. 1847." Selected Works 1 (1948): 98-137.
Cookies help us deliver our services. You have choices regarding these cookies. Please visit our privacy policy, cookie policy and consent tool to learn more.
Copyright 2002-2023 Simplicable. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or translated. Report violations here.
