Marxism

Marxism is a political ideology which was developed and propagated chiefly by

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and their followers. It is also referred to as
communism.

Socialism is considered a prelude to Marxism. While socialism is peaceful and

evolutionary, Marxism is violent and revolutionary.

Marxism took hold in Russia during World War II. 1982 – 1990 is regarded as
its heyday. However, with the fall of the Soviet Union, the influence of
Marxism has greatly waned. Nevertheless, it continues to live on, in various
forms, in different countries across the world.
A Brief History of Marx

Karl Marx was born to a Jewish family in Traves, Rhineland, Prussia. The
family later converted to Christianity.

Marx wrote an original essay on the materialistic philosophy of the Greek

philosopher Epicurus, for which he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy.
Although Marx wanted to be a teacher, he was never allowed to be university
faculty because of his extremist ideologies.

He joined the Rhenish Times as an Asst. Editor, and eventually rose to the
position of Editor-in-Chief. However, he soon left due to differences with the
owners of the newspaper. After his marriage in 1843, he moved to France to
study socialism.

In France, he joined as the editor of the Franco-German Yearbook, and

remained in this capacity until its publishers went out of business. He spent his
free time befriending French and German extremists, viz. Proudhon, Mazzini,
and Engels.

In 1848, Marx and Engels jointly released the Communist Manifesto, in which
they gave a clarion call thus – “Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing
to lose except your chains of slavery.” In 1867, Marx published the first
volume of another book, Das Capital. The other two volumes of this book were
published only after his death by Engels.

When Prussia requested France to deport Marx back to Prussia, he fled to

Belgium. However, he returned to France during the revolution, and when it
failed, he fled to Germany. Germany tried Marx for treason, but he was later
acquitted of all charges.

He finally went to live – in exile – in London, where he spent his last years in
poverty.
Principles of Marxism

The principles of Marxism may be summarised as follows.

A. Dialectical Materialism

Marx, and therefore Marxism itself, was greatly influenced by the philosophy of
Hegel, an idealist. This eventually led to the development of dialectical
materialism, which is a key philosophy of Marxism.

There occur many ideas in the human mind at any particular time, the prominent
ones amongst which are known as the thesis. These are soon opposed by
conflicting ideas which also arise, which are known as the anti-thesis. The clash
between the two ultimately results in a particular result, which is the synthesis.

For instance, if the thesis is laying importance on capital, and the anti-thesis is
laying importance on labour, the synthesis that will occur thus is class war.

B. Materialistic Interpretation of History

It is man’s material needs which has led him to create history as we know it
today, for only when man has satisfied his material needs can he focus on
“higher” pursuits.

According to Marx, human history went through 4 important stages of

production:

1. Primitive Communist Stage: The factors of production were very

meagre, which the people shared them amongst themselves.
2. Ancient Stage: By this time, class structures had emerged. The masters
of slaves and those who controlled the factors of production had
everything substantial, but denied the slaves and workers benefits.
3. Feudal Stage: In this stage, the feudal lords exploited the landless serfs.
4. Capitalist Stage: In this stage, the capitalists exploit the workers.
C. Theory of Surplus Value

According to Marx, the value of a commodity is equal to the wages paid to the
labourer. Any monetary value attributed to a commodity over and above this
value is its surplus value – which is inherently unnecessary and exploitative.

For instance, if the wages paid to the labourer is ₹ 1000, and the product is sold
for ₹ 3000, the surplus value is ₹ 2000 – which is an illegitimate profit.

According to Marx, the existence of a surplus value is the exploitation of the

labourer.

D. Theory of Class War

In every stage of history there exists, in general, two classes:

1. The bourgeoise – who control the factors of production, and buy the
labour of others.
2. The proletariat, i.e. the workers – who do not own or control any factors
of production, and instead sell their labour.

Throughout history, the former has exploited the latter – be it master-slave,

landlord-serf, capitalist-worker, and so on. By their very nature, the interests of
the two classes are fundamentally in opposition to the other. As a result, there is
a perpetual conflict – a class war – between the two classes.

E. Concentration of Capital

The rich are progressively increasing the capital in their hands, and the poor are
getting poorer. This is resulting in a widening gulf between the rich and the
poor, and the concentration of capital in the hands of a few.

F. Inevitability of Revolution
As the society is divided into classes, and the bourgeois continue to exploit the
proletariat, revolution by the latter against the former is inevitable.

G. Dictatorship of the Proletariat

After the revolution which is inevitable, the capitalists will be suppressed, and
the dictatorship of the proletariat will be established. They will, with the help of
the State, weed out any capitalists who may be left over, and thus establish their
rule.

H. Withering Away of the State

A classless society will thus be established. When class disappears, there will
arise no more conflicts between people. Hence, the State itself will wither away
as there is no longer any need for it to exist and maintain order and harmony
amongst the people.

I. Religion is the Opium of the People

Religion makes people sway to sentiments. It is a tool in the hands of the

capitalists to exploit the masses. Hence, Marx didn’t mince words in advocating
for the abolition of the institution of religion itself.
Merits of Marxism

The following are some major merits of Marxism:

 The huge influence Marxism created across the world deserves to be

recognised as one of its merits.

Workers across the world found a messiah for their cause in Marx.
Indeed, Marxism has had a great impact all through the world, and has
changed the course of history itself. Though Marx himself did not
engineer a revolution, he provided the necessary explosive material for
communist revolutions across the world while would follow.

 The prospect of an impending uprising by the workers forced many

capitalists to introduce reforms for the benefit of workers – viz. better
wages, lesser working hours, etc.
 Marxism showed workers the power in their collective strength and
number.
Critiques of Marxism

Marxism has also been majorly criticised by its detractors. The major critiques
of Marxism are as follows:

 Regarding materialistic interpretation of history: The materialistic

interpretation of history advocated by Marx has been majorly criticised. It
is not only man’s material needs that has played a role in making history
as we know it today, several other important factors have played a major
role too.
 Regarding theory of surplus value: The theory of surplus value is full
of drawbacks. According to Marx, labour alone is the important means of
production, and nothing else. This theory completely ignores the role of
raw materials, transportation, machinery, property, capital, etc. in
production.
 Regarding theory of class war: Marx’s theory of class war is
misleading. In no social system in the world does class war exist
perpetually.
 Regarding the State as a tool in the hands of the capitalists:
According to Marx, the State is a tool in the hands of the capitalists to
exploit the proletariat. However, the State is a welfare institution which
promotes the interests of all its citizens in many ways.
 Regarding the inevitability of revolution: Although class structures
exist in many societies, no “inevitable” revolution predicted by Marx has
taken place.
 Regarding withering away of the State: The idea of the State withering
away eventually is an utopia. Revolutions have not taken place in most
States, so the question of the State withering away does not arise. Further,
even in States where communists revolutions have taken place, the role
and relevance of the State has only increased with time.
 Regarding religion being the opium of the people: Marx has done a
great injustice to religion. Many critics have accused him of preaching
atheism instead of pointing out the drawbacks in how religion has been
used. In fact, an individual can attain solace and be his best self only with
religion.