Marxism

Definition

Marxism is a socio-political and economic theory founded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which argues that societies develop through class struggle between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (working class). This framework highlights the role of capitalism in creating social inequalities and predicts that the proletariat will eventually rise against the bourgeoisie to establish a classless society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Marxism critiques capitalism by arguing that it leads to exploitation, where the bourgeoisie profits at the expense of the proletariat.
2. The theory suggests that historical development is driven by economic factors and class struggles, leading to inevitable social change.
3. Marx believed that capitalism would eventually collapse due to its internal contradictions, leading to a revolutionary transformation into socialism.
4. Marxism has influenced various political movements worldwide, resulting in different interpretations and adaptations, such as Leninism and Maoism.
5. In modern discussions of international political economy, Marxism provides a lens to analyze global inequalities and power dynamics between nations.

Review Questions

• How does Marxism explain the relationship between the bourgeoisie and proletariat in capitalist societies?
  • Marxism posits that the relationship between the bourgeoisie and proletariat is characterized by conflict and exploitation. The bourgeoisie owns the means of production and profits from the labor of the proletariat, who are forced to sell their labor for survival. This dynamic creates inherent social inequalities, with the bourgeoisie maintaining power and wealth while the proletariat remains oppressed, ultimately leading to class struggle that Marx believes will result in revolutionary change.
• Evaluate how Marxism has influenced contemporary social movements and international relations.
  • Marxism has significantly shaped various contemporary social movements by providing a critical framework for understanding systemic inequalities related to class, race, and gender. In international relations, Marxist theory helps analyze how global capitalism perpetuates disparities between developed and developing nations. Movements inspired by Marxist thought advocate for workers' rights, social justice, and reforms aimed at addressing these imbalances on a global scale.
• Analyze the implications of Marxist theory on the understanding of globalization and economic inequality today.
  • Marxist theory offers crucial insights into globalization by framing it as an extension of capitalist exploitation on a global scale. It suggests that globalization exacerbates economic inequality by allowing multinational corporations to exploit cheap labor in developing countries while maximizing profits for the bourgeoisie. This perspective emphasizes the need for collective action among the proletariat worldwide to address these disparities and challenges existing power structures, advocating for a more equitable distribution of resources and wealth.

Related terms

Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class who own the means of production and are seen as oppressors in Marxist theory.

Proletariat: The working class who sell their labor to the bourgeoisie and are considered the oppressed in Marxist ideology.

Dialectical Materialism: A philosophical approach in Marxism that emphasizes the material conditions of society as the primary influence on social change and development.