From Proletariat to Multitude: The Contemporary Reconstruction of Marx’s Revolutionary Subject Theory

如何结合工人阶级的当代转型重新阐释马克思的无产阶级概念，已成为当代西方学界的重要议题。奈格里与哈特立足资本主义社会新形态展开研究，揭示非物质劳动通过创造文化符号与数据产品，正在重塑革命主体的物质基础；然后，突破传统阶级同质化预设，将零工劳动者、数字游民等异质化群体纳入革命主体范畴；最后，以“诸众”概念重构斗争模式，主张通过“出走”策略构建绝对民主社会。这一理论创新突破了传统马克思主义的阐释框架，在西方学界“无产阶级消亡论”甚嚣尘上的语境下，为左翼理论注入了新的活力。然而需注意的是，其关于政治主体建构的论述仍存在明显局限，所构想的革命方案带有明显的理想化倾向，因此在肯定其批判价值的同时，必须对其实践可行性保持理性审视。How to reinterpret Marx’s concept of the proletariat in light of the contemporary transformation of the working class has become a pivotal issue in Western academia. Building on the new morphology of capitalist society, Negri and Hardt demonstrate that immaterial labor—through the creation of cultural symbols and data products—is reshaping the material foundation of revolutionary subjectivity. They further dismantle traditional class homogeneity assumptions by incorporating heterogeneous groups such as gig workers and digital nomads into the revolutionary subjectivity framework. Ultimately, their concept of the “Multitude” redefines struggle modes, advocating for the construction of an absolute democratic society via “exodus” strategies. This theoretical innovation transcends the interpretive framework of classical Marxism, injecting fresh vitality into left-wing discourse amidst the prevailing “proletariat extinction theory” in Western academia. However, limitations remain evident in their political subjectivity construction, as their envisioned revolutionary blueprint exhibits pronounced idealism. While affirming its critical value, a rational scrutiny of its practical feasibility is imperative.