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 WHAT IS MARXISM?
‡ In simple terms, `Marxism' refers to the system of
thought created by Karl Marx (1818-83) which
provides the main theoretical basis for modern
socialism and communism.

‡ Defined as the system of economic, social, and

political philosophy based on the idea that class
structures will be overthrown with force
(revolution) instead of being replaced through
patient modification.
 WHAT IS MARXISM?
‡ It explains that since capitalism has succeeded the
feudalism, it will be removed by a dictatorship of the
workers (proletariat) called socialism, followed quickly
and inevitably by a classless society which governs
itself without a governing class or structure.

‡ Developed in the 19th century jointly by two lifelong

German friends living in London Karl Marx (1818-1883)
and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) it forms the
foundation of communism.
  
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‡ The task of Marxist critics (and all ideological critics, of
whatever persuasion) is to 
 

 


  in mediated and other forms of communication

‡ It is believed that these hidden messages, as the argument

goes, 


of those who receive these
messages

‡ Marxist critics argue that many people in the media for

example are   


that they   


 


  



 



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Donalt Lazeee (1977) explains that Marxism
theory applied to any aspect of culture, seems
to explicate the manifest and latent or coded
reflections of modes of material production,
ideological value, class relations, structures of
social power ʹ racial or sexual as well as
politico-economic ʹ or the state of
consciousness of people.
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The Marxist method when applied, leads to
varying degrees of combination with
structuralism and semiology. It has provided
an incisive analytical tool for studying the
political signification in every facet of
contemporary culture, including popular
entertainment in TV and films, music, mass
circulation books, newspaper, comics, fashion,
games, as well as acculturating institutions as
education, religion, the family, etc.
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