Final answer:
The bourgeoisie are the class of capitalists who own the means of production, rising to prominence with industrialization and are associated with business ownership and professional work. Marx saw them as exploiters of the proletariat, forecasting that their practices would lead to the downfall of capitalism. Despite challenges, they fostered the belief in meritocracy and influenced the shaping of modern society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bourgeoisie refers to the class of people in a capitalist society who own the means of production. Traditionally, these individuals or families were engaged in commerce, banking, or administration and grew in influence with the advent of industrialization. While originally not nobility, the bourgeoisie became powerful through their wealth and position in society, often being business owners, professionals like accountants and lawyers, or bureaucrats. Their rise to prominence, particularly during the period after the French Revolution, marked a significant social transformation, in contrast to the previous feudal structure. They were seen as self-made individuals, priding themselves on intelligence, education, and competence, and often sought to further their influence through acquiring land and engaging in liberal or nationalist ideologies.
The Marxist perspective, notably detailed in Das Kapital by Karl Marx, views the bourgeoisie as those who exploit the proletariat (workers) by paying low wages and accumulating excess value from their labor. Marx theorized that this exploitation would eventually lead to the collapse of the capitalist system as the proletariat would rise to reclaim control. Despite Marx's predictions, the bourgeoisie remained integral to the development of modern capitalist societies, often emphasizing meritocracy and a work ethic contrasting the perceived frivolity of the traditional nobility. However, they also faced challenges, such as those from the 'petty bourgeoisie' who feared slipping into the working class.