Who benefits primarily from surplus value?

The correct answer highlights that the bourgeoisie, or capitalist class, primarily benefits from surplus value. Surplus value is a concept developed by Karl Marx, referring to the difference between what workers are paid for their labor and the value of the goods or services they produce. The bourgeoisie owns the means of production and, thus, profits from the labor performed by the workforce. When workers produce more value through their labor than they receive in wages, the excess value generated is appropriated by the bourgeoisie as profit. This underscores the fundamental feature of capitalist economies, where the ownership class capitalizes on the labor of others, ultimately reinforcing class divisions.

The workforce does not benefit from surplus value since their wages do not reflect the total value they create, leading to exploitation. Consumers may receive goods and services but do not derive direct financial benefit from the surplus value created. The government may tax profits or regulate business practices, but it is not the primary beneficiary of surplus value; its role is typically more about managing and overseeing commerce rather than profiting directly from the labor value produced.