Marxism vs. Anarchism: Contrasting Social Theories

Marxism: Core Principles and Historical Impact

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, initially influenced by utopian socialist thought, developed a profound theory for social change known as scientific socialism. Their body of doctrine found its first comprehensive expression in The Communist Manifesto. They also developed a Marxist theory based on three core pillars:

• Analysis of the Past: The Class Struggle

  Marx and Engels considered the struggle between oppressors and oppressed as the primary driver of historical development. This fundamental contradiction arose from the social relations inherent in each historical period, such as slavery, feudalism, and capitalism.

• Critique of Capitalism: Exploitation and Crisis

  They argued that bourgeois exploitation is an inherent condition of capitalism. A worker's labor generates surplus value (profit) beyond their salary, which remains in the hands of the capitalist. The constant desire to increase profit drives technological innovation, but this also leads to recurring crises of overproduction, from which large businesses often emerge stronger.

• Project for the Future: Communist Society

  Marxist theory envisions a communist society achieved through the seizure of political power by the workers. This would initiate a dictatorship of the proletariat, a transitional phase aimed at ultimately achieving the disappearance of all classes and forms of exploitation.

Anarchism: Diverse Ideals and Revolutionary Paths

Anarchism is not as homogeneous a body of doctrine as that developed by Marx and Engels. It encompasses a diverse range of proposals, often stemming from individual thinkers, though all its ideologues criticize capitalist society and propose an alternative model based on the absence of authority.

Foundational Anarchist Thinkers

• Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's Vision

  Pierre-Joseph Proudhon is often considered a foundational figure in anarchist thought. He famously declared "property is theft" and advocated for a social system based on self-employment, mutualism, and cooperatives. He believed capitalism could be gradually overcome through the free association of individuals, without reliance on political organization or authority.

• Mikhail Bakunin's Revolutionary Approach

  Mikhail Bakunin, a prominent Russian anarchist, played a key role in developing revolutionary anarchism. He suggested that revolution would be led by all oppressed sectors of society, emerging from the spontaneous struggle of the masses against exploitation. His aim was the destruction of the state and the creation of an egalitarian society based on communes. His influence spread across Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, and Spain.

Core Principles of Anarchist Thought

Building on the ideas of these leaders, a libertarian ideology emerged, proposing anarchy as a societal model. Key tenets include:

• Individual freedom
• Social solidarity
• Criticism of private property
• Protection of collective property
• Opposition to any hierarchical organization, including religion, politics, and government

While the ultimate goal was shared, the means to destroy the bourgeois order sometimes differed among various anarchist thinkers.