第だい四よん階かい級きゅう

noun

the fourth estate; the proletariat

Historical and political term referring to the working class or common people as a social force, especially in the context of the French Revolution or Marxist theory. Often used in discussions of class struggle.

• フランス革かく命めいでは、第だい四よん階かい級きゅうが政せい治じ的てきな力ちからを持もち始はじめた。

  During the French Revolution, the fourth estate began to gain political power.

• マルクス主しゅ義ぎでは、第だい四よん階かい級きゅうはプロレタリアートを指さす。

  In Marxism, the fourth estate refers to the proletariat.