I'd guess one could suggest that folk music is generally simpler than (not that folk elements are never used) than classical music and there can be "highbrow"/"lowbrow" music feelings. Folk to me, is easily accessible.

Beyond that, as far as I'm aware, music in oral tradition contains works by titled people, works written for wealthier patrons, works by professional entertainers as well as works by many we don't know anything about.

I don't know how you pin it down other than to say it contains songs and tunes people liked enough to pass on.

Personally, while I believe the music attracts more (and count me in on having some socialist leanings) left wing people, these days, I like to think of the music we were left with as classless and it's no odds to me if I was sharing a tune or two with say Prince Charles if he played (and I'm not a royalist) or Joe Doe. It (the music) can rise above such class distinctions.