In Marxist theory, the bourgeois is the class that owns property, and uses that property to extract wealth from workers. Their main concern is protecting the pr

In Marxist theory, the bourgeois is the class that owns property, and uses that property to extract wealth from workers. Their main concern is protecting the private property that allows them to maintain dominance of the system. It used to denote a middle class stratum between the peasants and the aristocracy, or even just city dwellers. However, I use it in the Marxist sense, to refer to the current capitalist leadership and ownership class, which emerged during the industrial revolution. Homeowners and small business owners are petit bourgeois - little bourgeois/middle class. This is different from the haute bourgeois - high bourgeois/upper class. During times of stability, the petit bourgeois want what the haute bourgeois want, and aspire to become haute bourgeois. During times of instability, the upper class tramples the middle class, turning them into an enemy. I think we're entering a time were petits no longer really expect the hautes to help them. And I think that's a good thing, since that makes petits more likely to help revolutionize!