The sum of all the classes, strata and social groups which have a determining impact, an impact which pushes forward the history of society, and are the driving force that pushes forward social development. From a quantitative point of view, the masses are the majority of the population; from a qualitative point of view, the masses are all the social forces which play a part in pushing forward the history of society. Lenin pointed out that, in using the word “people,” Marx did not thereby gloss over class distinctions, but combined definite elements that were capable of carrying the revolution to completion. Among them, the working masses and the intellectuals engaged in the production of the material means are the mainstay and stable part among the masses. In class society, they include all classes, strata or social forces that further social progress, and have a revolutionary nature…
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