What term did Karl Marx use to describe the capitalist class?

Karl Marx used the term "bourgeoisie" to refer to the capitalist class, which is made up of those who own the means of production in a capitalist society. This class is characterized by its control over resources and capital, allowing it to generate profit and exert significant influence over economic and social structures.

In Marxist theory, the bourgeoisie is contrasted with the proletariat, which refers to the working class that sells its labor in exchange for wages and does not own the means of production. The dynamic between these two classes is central to Marx's analysis of social conflict and economic inequality, as he believed that the interests of the bourgeoisie are often at odds with those of the proletariat, leading to class struggle.

The terms "peasantry" and "clerisy" are not used by Marx to describe the capitalist class. The peasantry typically refers to rural, agrarian workers who may be tied to land ownership or farming communities, while the clerisy refers to a class of educated individuals and intellectuals. Neither of these categories adequately captures the specific role and economic power of the bourgeoisie within the capitalist system that Marx aimed to critique.