Marxist Philosophy: Relevance in Today's Globalized World

The Enduring Relevance of Marxist Thought

With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the notion that Marx's philosophy represented the end of prehistory—culminating in a communist society after the demise of capitalism—seemed to crumble. However, the bourgeois mode of production not only persists but thrives in a globalized market economy. Former communist regimes have either vanished or are endangered.

As Marx and Engels stated in The Communist Manifesto, the bourgeoisie created the weapons of its own destruction, namely, the workers. The question remains: do Marxist-inspired communist revolutions truly reflect Marx's theory?

The Humanistic Aspects of Marx's Philosophy

Considering the more humanistic aspects of Marx's philosophy—his desire to end exploitation, overcome alienation, clarify social consciousness, and dismantle ideological barriers—we cannot deny the validity and contemporary relevance of his approaches.

Global Inequality and Contemporary Thinkers

Following Julio Quesada in Another History of Philosophy, we live in a technically globalized world marked by vast inequalities. A third of humanity lives in abundance, while the rest survive in misery. The gap between rich and poor widens annually. Issues such as hunger, child labor, and the marginalization of women persist.

Contemporary Philosophers and Marxist Ideals

Thinkers like Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez, in his book Value of Socialism, emphasize the emancipatory role of Marxist philosophy. Similarly, Peter Singer's works, such as Rethinking Life & Death and One World, echo classic socialist thought while addressing contemporary issues. A new specter haunts Europe: not communism, but the loss of deeply humanist ideals.