I think the oxford definition conveys it better "a peasant in Russia wealthy enough to own a farm and hire labor. Emerging after the emancipation of serfs in th

I think the oxford definition conveys it better "a peasant in Russia wealthy enough to own a farm and hire labor. Emerging after the emancipation of serfs in the 19th century the kulaks resisted Stalin's forced collectivization, but millions were arrested, exiled, or killed." IOW. The middle class. Small business owners. People who have acquired a tiny amount of capital.