Who constitutes the bourgeoisie in society?

The term "bourgeoisie" specifically refers to the class of people in society who own the means of production and have economic power. This concept, rooted in Marxist theory, highlights the role of the bourgeoisie as the capitalists who control businesses, factories, and resources necessary for production, which they utilize to generate profit. Their position in society is characterized by their significant wealth and influence compared to other social classes, particularly the proletariat, or working class, who do not own property and must sell their labor to survive.

In contrast, the working class consists of individuals who provide their labor for wages, reflecting option A, which does not accurately describe the bourgeoisie. The average citizen striving for economic stability best fits option B, which encompasses a broader group that may include both bourgeoisie and proletariat, thus failing to pinpoint the specific class of ownership that defines the bourgeoisie. Similarly, government officials in option D may regulate industry but do not inherently belong to the bourgeoisie unless they also partake in ownership of production assets. Therefore, the definition of the bourgeoisie is firmly tied to their role as the owners of production, making option C the accurate representation.