The classical notion of a working class of a society by Gerald A. Cohen: 1) it constitute the majority of a society; 2) it produce the wealth of society; 3) it consists of the exploited member of society; 4) its members are the needy people in society; 5) the working class has nothing to lose from revolution;
6) it can and will engage in a revolutionary transformation of society.
According to Slavoj Sizek none of the first four features applies to the contemporary working class, that is why features 5) and 6) can not be generated.
Does contemporary global capitalism contain antagonisms which are sufficiently strong to prevent its indefinite reproduction?
Sizek discussed four in his book “In Defense of Lost Causes:”
1) Ecology; 2) The inadequacy of private property for the so-called
“intellectual property.” 3) The socio-ethical implications of the new techno-scientific developments (Biogenetics) 4) New forms of apartheid, new walls and slums.