If ‘class’ expresses the relations of each atomized individual to all others who share his socio-economic conditions of life, and the relations between him as a member of this group to other similarly constituted groups, then ‘state’ expresses the relations of each such individual to society as a whole. Since the interaction of atomized individuals of the same and opposed classes subsumes their relations to society, state is really a facet of the class Relation; nevertheless, the distinction drawn above will prove practically useful. Whenever people relate to one another as members of the general community, that is as citizens – no matter what they do or want – they can be said to be engaging in politics.

For Marx, man's life as a citizen in capitalism is severely cramping. His private life offers an inadequate outlet for qualities whose full exercise demands a public stage. For example, though it is in his nature to legislate for himself what he will do, he is reduced to deciding narrow personal matters and having everything which has a bearing on his standing in the community decided by others. And though it is in his nature to administer whatever touches him, he is reduced to administering his own personal affairs and being wholly administered by others publicly.