Karl Marx and his prediction?

Question

Karl Marx predicted the proletariat would eventually overthrow the bourgeoisie in a violent revolution. Why does Marx's analysis and prediction of class conflict, based on Marx's observations of mid-nineteenth century England and Europe, not apply to Western, industrialized socieites today?

Answer 1

No they don't. Although I live in the UK, still one of the most class ridden societies,I don't see the proletariat rising any time soon to overthrow the bourgeoisie. Inn fact, both terms are hopelessly outdated anyway. There now really is little difference between the working and middle classes. We have all lost our taste for revolution, but rather have been seduced by rampant consumerism. Capitalism has sucked everyone into it's maw. The real differences now are not so much between classes as between, say the old who may not have a great deal of money and youth which has a lot. Between the single mother with a couple of kids on a run down estate and the family with two or three cars and a TV in every room.

Marx is a fine example of how predictions don't work. Another 19th century example is Malthus. How much will our descendants in 150 years time be laughing at our quaint fear of the effects of global warming, i wonder?