lumpenproletariat

The lumpenproletariat, in Marxist theory, is the lowest stratum of society—vagrants, criminals, the chronically unemployed, and others existing outside the organized working class.

Marx viewed them as politically unreliable, easily bribed or manipulated by reactionary forces.

The term is sometimes used loosely to disparage any group seen as disengaged from productive society: The party dismissed the rioters as lumpenproletariat.