Final answer:
Karl Marx and C. Wright Mills believed that the bourgeoisie centralized their power through government and legislation. Marx's conflict theory identified a societal divide between the bourgeois and the proletarian, leading to a society centered on wealth disparity and class warfare. Mills elaborated on this with his concept of the 'power elite', a wealthy, dominant group maintaining societal control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theories of Karl Marx argue that the bourgeoisie centralized their power through government and legislation. Marx's perspective, often labeled as conflict theory, exploited the divide between bourgeois (wealthy class controlling production) and proletariat (workers depending on employment from the bourgeois). This led to a society structured on wealth disparity and class warfare, wherein the bourgeoisie used means such as governmental policies and laws to reinforce their societal dominance.
C.Wright Mills also contributed to this discourse through his concept of the 'power elite', a group of wealthy and influential individuals who held sway over society. Mills believed these elite used government policies to maintain and enhance their consolidated wealth. His ideas built upon Marx's original concepts, highlighting the power dynamics within societal structures.
Learn more about Bourgeoisie's power centralization