Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In most economies, labour is exploited by capitalists. Reason (R): The middle class does not exist in society. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct.

Hint:

According to Karl Marx: \[ \boxed{ \text{Capitalists} \rightarrow \text{Exploit Labour} \rightarrow \text{Extract Surplus Value} } \] However, the statement that the middle class does not exist is incorrect in the context of modern economies.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: According to Karl Marx's theory of capitalism, workers (the proletariat) are exploited by capitalists (the bourgeoisie). Marx argued that capitalists extract surplus value from workers by paying them wages that are less than the value they create through their labour. However, the existence of a middle class is widely recognized in modern societies. Although Marx predicted increasing class polarization, contemporary economies include a substantial middle class consisting of professionals, small entrepreneurs, salaried employees and service-sector workers.

Step 1: Examine Assertion (A). Marx argued that capitalist production is based on:
• Exploitation of labour.
• Extraction of surplus value.
• Unequal ownership of the means of production. Therefore, \[ \boxed{\text{Assertion (A) is Correct.}} \]

Step 2: Examine Reason (R). The statement that \[ \text{``The middle class does not exist in society''} \] is incorrect. Modern societies possess a significant middle class, and even within Marxian sociology, its existence is acknowledged though its long-term role is debated. Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{Reason (R) is Incorrect.}} \]

Step 3: Choose the correct option. Since Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false, \[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer}=(C)} \]