Marxism: Key Concepts, Theories, and Impact

Marxism: An Introduction

Marxism, developed by Karl Marx (1818-1883), is inextricably linked to Friedrich Engels (1820-1895). Their long collaboration resulted in a significant literary output, with Engels' contribution always acknowledged. Engels' support was crucial, particularly in financing Marx's magnum opus.

Key Collaborations

Their collaborations include the drafting and publication of the Communist Manifesto (1848), a response to the revolutionary events of 1848. This work posits that all societies have historically been defined by class struggle, currently manifested between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.

Engels also supported Marx in the creation of Das Kapital (1867), a critical analysis of modes of production and a presentation of Marx's economic theories.

Core Elements of Marxist Thought

Marxist thought encompasses several key elements:

Materialism

Marx's materialism opposed idealism. He critiqued the Young Hegelians, whom he considered idealists, and rejected utopian socialism as idealistic and impractical. Marx's scientific socialism argues that social phenomena are rooted in material causes and can only be explained through material motivations.

Dialectics

Dialectics serves as a method for understanding the world and explaining change and historical evolution. It posits that progress arises from the clash of opposing forces, leading to the creation of something new.

Class Struggle

Marx believed that the course of history is determined by clashes between social classes. Social groups with similar conditions and roles within the productive system engage in conflict.

Proletariat and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat

Marx associated the capitalist state with the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. He advocated for a transition to a communist state through the dictatorship of the proletariat, involving the suppression of social classes. Marx proposed the principle: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs."

Theory of Surplus Value

A key element of Marxist economics is the theory of surplus value. The value and price of a product on the market are determined by the energy expended by the workers. However, capitalists do not adequately compensate the workforce, paying only a subsistence wage. The difference between the cost of labor and the price at which the product is sold constitutes surplus value.