The Core Principles of Marxist Philosophy and Economics

Marxism: Foundations and Intellectual Origins

Marxism, founded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a doctrine rooted in classical philosophy, political economy, and the revolutionary political traditions of the French sense. Revolutionary Marxism follows several key directions:

• Economic
• Sociological
• Political
• Critical
• Philosophical

The Influence of Hegelian Theory

Marxism draws heavily from the theories of G.W.F. Hegel. Following Hegel's death, two primary interpretations of his theories emerged:

1. The Hegelian Right: Sought to maintain the established systems.
2. The Hegelian Left: Broke away from established systems. This movement highlighted the work of Feuerbach, the founder of atheistic humanism, who focused on two forms of alienation: the alienation where man projects his essence onto God, and economic alienation.

Marxism incorporates these concepts of alienation, following the idea that “man makes himself” through his actions and social relations.

Dialectical Materialism (DM)

Dialectical Materialism is the theory used to understand all reality. It is based on the Hegelian dialectic (thesis, antithesis, and synthesis), which is a process that transcends and conciliates, suppressing the negative elements while preserving the positive aspects of the thesis and antithesis. DM reflects materialism and explicitly rejects idealism.

For Marxism, matter is primary, and consciousness is secondary. Motion is inherent to matter, reflecting its dynamic nature and constant devenir (becoming). The world is not acting at random; it follows specific laws:

The Three Laws of Dialectics

1. Law of the Transformation of Quantity into Quality

   Everything is in continuous quantitative change, but when it reaches a nodal point, a qualitative change occurs. This change, while initially disruptive, leads to a new state.

2. Law of the Unity and Struggle of Opposites

   Reality is essentially contradictory. The struggle between opposites is the engine that gives momentum to matter.

3. Law of the Negation of the Negation

   The synthesis is the negation of the antithesis, which is itself the negation of the thesis. The evolution of the universe is progressive, which is why Marxism is considered an optimistic theory.

Marxist Epistemology and Truth

Knowledge is viewed as an accurate reflection of reality; our senses do not deceive us. However, truth is relative because everything is constantly in a state of becoming (*devenir*). Therefore, an absolute and final truth can never be constructed.

Historical Materialism: Structure of Society

Historical Materialism is Marx's theory of society and economics. It interprets humanity and the world through the lens of economic transformation. For Marxism, economic factors constitute the infrastructure of society, while all other factors (spiritual beliefs, law, politics, etc.) form the superstructure.

The superstructure serves as the means by which the dominant class submits and controls the dominated class.