Socialism, Marxism, and Anarchism: Foundational Political Ideologies

The political ideologies that defend the working class were profoundly inspired by socialist thought. These movements sought to address social inequalities and advocate for a more just society.

Socialist Thought

Socialism advocates that political rights and freedoms are insufficient without the existence of social equality. Proponents believe there can be no real democracy without effective equal opportunities.

• Its basic ideas include cooperation, collectivization, distribution of wealth, and, in some forms, the abolition of private property.
• Socialism aims to transform society and create a more just social order, achieving social equality, political rights, and a more equitable distribution of wealth.

The earliest forms of socialism, often referred to as Utopian Socialism, emerged in the first decades of the 19th century, especially in France and Britain. These early socialists proposed solutions to social inequality that were often considered impractical and unfeasible at the time.

Key Characteristics of Early Socialism

• They envisioned a socialist society as desirable for everyone, to be established through the goodwill and solidarity of the people, rather than through revolution.
• They morally condemned and criticized the detrimental effects of capitalism.

Marxism

Marxism is a political ideology that originated around the 1840s in the 19th century. It offers a harsh critique of bourgeois society, analyzing its inherent contradictions and proposing an alternative model of political and economic organization.

• Its creators and main representatives, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, published The Communist Manifesto, a seminal work on class struggle, and Das Kapital, which provides a devastating analysis of capitalism.
• According to Marxists, social inequalities can only be eliminated through class struggle, proposing that workers seize power.
• Marxists seek to end the private ownership of the means of production, advocating for collective ownership. This would require the working class to conquer political power, leading to the dictatorship of the proletariat.
• The entire process could be peaceful or violent, but always revolutionary, led by the proletariat.

Anarchism

Anarchism is a political ideology that emerged in the mid-19th century, primarily based on the ideas of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and Mikhail Bakunin.

• Anarchists believed that the proletariat should change society by creating communities and associations outside the state.
• They proposed the abolition of the state, government, army, and church, fundamentally opposing all forms of authority.
• They defended individual freedom, solidarity, and equality among people. While some strands supported private ownership, others advocated for collective ownership.
• Historically, anarchism had two aspects: one political, advocating for social change through various means, and another, more radical, defending direct action, including violent acts (sometimes associated with revolutionary terrorism).

The International Labor Movement

The labor movement quickly recognized the need for international solidarity. It soon became clear that a revolution, if it were to occur, must be international in scope. In response to these challenges, British, French, German, and Italian trade unions promoted the creation of the International Workingmen's Association (AIT) in 1864.

Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Mikhail Bakunin played active and influential roles within the AIT, shaping its early direction and debates.