(Kind-of) Theory Question: Confused about the boss/worker dichotomy

/r/Socialism_101

One thing I often see around is basic socialist definitions of working-class/Proletarian and Bourgeoise which AFAIK posits the Bourgeoise, "the bosses", as a group who take a cut of their worker's wealth while undergoing less labour and commanding authority of those workers. A lot of the time in socialist circles you hear "workers" and "bosses" being discussed as totally separate entities, and that bosses are completely irredeemable for having exploited the labour of workers.

However as I go into the workplace, I'm finding this doesn't line up with what I'm seeing. For one thing, there seems to layers of bosses, bosses have their own bosses and seem to have their labour exploited as well, and even face abuse. There is clear overlap between the sphere of bosses and workers that contradicts the common idea online that it would all be fine if we just guillotined all the bosses.

Also does that mean that if I were promoted to say, a sub-manager, that I would immediately become part of the bourgeois class? Have I massively misunderstood this system of socio-economic classification? Thanks, and sorry if this is a mess of uneducated garbage talk

Posted Dec 17, 2018, 9:52 PM UTC

35
BobAvarkianRevolutionary Caliphate Party-USA:MLKP:•

There is an easy distinction, Capitalists are the one who own the capital, the means of production, the workers are those who, having no recourse, must sell their labor to the Capitalists. In this view, middle management types are a section of the proletarian who sell their management skills to keep the other workers tidy.

4
confusedplato•

Related question: I, and everyone I know, has a 401K. I'm am individual contributor, and have never managed anyone. But doesn't my 401K mean I am profiting from capital? Seems the worker / boss breakdown is outdated.

2
eugenedebsghost•

If you're bosses are matching you dollar for dollar on your 401k that means they must be making more than that off of you or they wouldn't give it to you. No business is going to lose money off retirement benefits for employees.

3
confusedplato•

So when I retire, and my income is coming from the 401K (mutual funds, stocks, bonds, ...) I am still in the "worker" class? I am still a proletariat?

1
confusedplato•

Another example: say I have a start up company. I employ five people. The company is not profitable, and kept running with money from venture capitalist.

1