Final answer:
Surplus value, as proposed by Marx, is the profit gained by capitalists beyond the wages paid to workers, and it's seen as an exploitative force and a driver for potential revolution in capitalist societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surplus value is a concept developed by Karl Marx to describe the value generated by workers in a capitalist system that is above and beyond the costs of their wages. Marx argued that this extra value was appropriated by capitalists as profit, contributing to their wealth while exploiting the workers. Marx saw surplus value as a principal factor in the economics of capitalist societies, which he believed would eventually lead to a proletariat revolution due to the inherent inequalities and contradictions.
Understanding this concept is key to comprehending theories of capitalism and is particularly relevant in discussions about the distribution of wealth, labor rights, and the dynamics of economic systems. Marx's theory of surplus value illustrates the depth of his economic analysis and stands as a cornerstone of Marxist economics, making it a critical subject for those studying social studies, history, and economics.