One of the key concepts originally developed by Karl Marx referred to a more or less chronically unemployed or underemployed segment of the population, primarily because of mechanization which renders them "redundant" and hence "superfluous" as far as producing profits is concerned. This segment helps keep wages down and is absorbed back into the general working population when labor is scarce. What is this segment?

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The segment of the population being referred to is the surplus population or reserve army, as identified by Karl Marx. They are "redundant" and "superfluous" as far as producing profits is concerned because they are chronically unemployed or underemployed due to mechanization. This segment helps keep wages down and is only absorbed back into the general working population when labor is scarce.

One of the Key Concepts Originally Developed by Karl Marx