Social Class is a fundamental concept within social stratification, referring to a large group of people who share a similar economic position in society, primarily based on their relationship to the means of production, income, wealth, and occupation. While specific definitions vary, major sociological class distinctions often include the upper class (those with inherited wealth or control of large businesses), the middle class (professionals, managers, small business owners), the working class (manual or blue-collar laborers), and the underclass (those experiencing chronic poverty and marginalisation). Social class influences an individual's life chances, affecting their access to education, healthcare, housing, and opportunities for social mobility. Marxist theory emphasises class consciousness and the inherent conflict between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class) over the means of production. Understanding social class is crucial for analysing structured inequalities, economic exploitation, and the distribution of power and resources within a society.