Many have heard the phrase "declassed element", but few know what the term actually means. In addition to sociologists, this phrase will forever remain in the memory of admirers of Yegor Letov's work, thanks to one of his famous songs, but let's still figure out what significance it has from a scientific point of view.
Meaning
A declassed element, or, as such people are also called, lumpen - this is the foam that pops up in the crisis moments of revolutions. The main thing that is important for these people is, using confusion, to get a social status, to become prosperous, but not through labor, but parasitizing on society. It was considered so even during the revolution in 1917.
Taking into account the consideration of the third group of concepts, social policy is a type of social activity, the focus of which initially goes to potentially unsafe segments of the population, namely marginalized, disabled and declassed elements. This allows, using state aid and public charity,provide them with the opportunity to reach a minimum level of acceptable satisfaction of their needs, shielding the more affluent classes from the possible manifestation of uncontrolled fury of the lower strata.
The manifestation of declassed elements in Germany
People of this class also showed themselves during the reign of Hitler. When a difficult period came for the German people, many reactionary organizations arose, which consisted of both the sons of the bourgeoisie and declassed elements. It was believed that they occupy their special place, located between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. In other words, the marginal is a declassed element whose existence is on the verge of survival between the rich and middle strata of society.
It is believed that in society there are always a number of citizens who cannot be involved in the production process, because they do not have a labor force or it is too low for an employer to be interested in it. Basically, these people lose hope of earning money and forever lose the opportunity to be part of the system. Due to their qualifications, there may be an erroneous opinion that they still belong to the capitalist class, being in constant search of work. But in fact, such a person is a declassed element who has become close to the lower class, on a par with patients of psychiatric hospitals and residents of nursing homes. That is, they continue to receive part of the public we alth and are lumpen of high society.
The emergence of the concept
About thisconcept, as declassed elements of society, first spoke during the first socialist revolutions. This is due to the influx of people who do not have a minimum wage or housing, creating radical parties and striving to occupy their niche in society. These are very poor segments of the population who have to not live, but survive in society in the truest sense of the word.
Therefore, this term of sociological science is considered a dangerous element for society. After all, the anger that grows in the thoughts of these people can sooner or later affect the more affluent strata of society. And the worst thing is that the declassed element is a person who simply has nothing to lose.
