Marxism

• Marxian Understanding of Class, Capital

& Capitalism
• Biography Of Karl Marx and Engels
• Marxism Communism Socialism
• The Worldwide effects of Das Kapital
and Communist Manifesto
• Historical Communist and Socialist
Movements
• Marxism in Literature
 MARXIAN
CLASS THEORY
Proletariat
The proletariat consists of the working
class who do not own the means of
production. Instead, they sell their labor
power to the bourgeoisie in exchange
for wages.
Bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie are the owners of the
means of production. They derive their
wealth and power from controlling
these productive resources.
Capital
Marx defines capital as self-expanding value.

Capital is invested in the production process with the primary

goal of generating surplus value — value that exceeds the
value of the labor power used in production.

Commodity fetishism is a concept that in a capitalist society,

commodities appear as if they value of their own but in fact,
their value is dependent on the labor required for their
production.
Capitalism from a Marxian Perspective
It has emerged out of feudalism as a new mode of production.

Marxian understanding of capitalism defends the idea that conflict

between the classes are inevitable.

An economic model that is prone and known to fail.

Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher, economist, and political theorist.

He was born in Trier, Prussia (now in western Germany). Marx's ideas had a profound and
lasting impact on the fields of economics, sociology, and political theory.

He is most famous for his theories on class struggle and the critique of capitalism.

Marx's ideas inspired various social and political movements, including socialist and
communist movements in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Friedrich Engels (1820-1895)
He was a German philosopher, social scientist, and political theorist who is best known for his
collaboration with Karl Marx.

Engels was born in Barmen, Prussia (now part of Germany). He met Karl Marx in 1844 in
Paris, and their meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong intellectual and political
partnership.

Friedrich Engels' contributions to Marxism and his role in co-authoring important works with
Karl Marx solidified his place in the history of political and social thought.
Communism
Communism is a socio-economic and political ideology derived from Marxism. It envisions a
classless, stateless society where the means of production are collectively owned and
controlled by the community.
It is an ideological, political and economic understanding in which all means of production are
single ownership, there is no state or monetary value, and every individual in society is
considered equal.
Communists are people who reject capitalism and argue that every person should live under
equal conditions.
Today, there are only five states governed by communism; China, North Korea, Vietnam,
Cuba, Laos.
Socialism
Socialism emerged with the aim of eliminating the capitalist economy.

According to Marxism, a transition period begins with the collapse of capitalism, and at the
end of this period, communist society is reached, which is divided into two basic phases in
terms of its development. Marx calls these stages the lower and upper stages of communism.
The lower phase of communism is also called socialism.
Marxism
Marxism is a socio-economic and political theory based on the ideas of Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels.
It emphasizes the role of class struggle in society, advocating for the eventual establishment of
a classless, stateless society where the means of production are collectively owned.
Marxism has had a significant impact on political and economic thought, influencing various
social movements and political ideologies.
Das Kapital & Communist Manifesto
Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but
"Das Kapital" and the
"Communist Manifesto" are
foundational texts in the history
of political thought, authored by
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
These works fundamentally
transformed how we understand
economics, politics, and society,
offering a critical perspective on the
capitalist system.
their chains. They have a world to win.
Karl Marx
These works fundamentally
transformed how "Das Kapital"
(1867) delves into the
intricacies of capitalism,
exploring its underlying
economic mechanisms and their
effects on society. We
understand economics, politics,
and society, offering a critical
perspective on the capitalist
system.
Das Kapital & Communist Manifesto
The "Communist Manifesto"
(1848) serves as a clarion call for
workers to rise against the
exploitative forces of capitalism
and establish a classless society.
Together, these texts have inspired
countless political movements,
revolutions, and debates worldwide.
Their enduring relevance lies in their
profound insights into the nature of
economic and social relations, making
them essential readings for anyone
interested in understanding the
dynamics of modern society.
Russian Revolution (1917)
The Bolshevik Revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin, resulted in the overthrow of the
Russian Provisional Government, leading to the establishment of the Russian Soviet
Federative Socialist Republic, which later became the Soviet Union.

This event marked the birth of the first communist state.

Chinese Communist Revolution (1949)
Chinese Communist Revolution was led by Mao Zedong, the Chinese
Communist Party emerged victorious in the Chinese Civil War,
establishing the People's Republic of China.

This marked the beginning of communist rule in the most populous

country in the world.
Cuban Revolution (1959)
Fidel Castro and Che Guevara led a successful revolution against the
Batista regime, establishing a socialist state in Cuba.

This revolution had a significant impact on Latin American politics.

Vietnam War and the Ho Chi Minh Trail
The communist forces, led by Ho Chi Minh, successfully fought against
American and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

Eventually reunifying North and South Vietnam as the Socialist Republic

of Vietnam.
Socialist and Communist Movements,
Europe
Throughout the 20th century, socialist and communist movements were
influential in several European countries.

France, Italy, and Spain, socialist and communist parties played a major
role in politics.
Marxism, Ideology and Literature

Literature is a part of the superstructure and it can not escape the influence
of social and economic contexts.

It is also used to pass some ideologies to people. Literature has always

been used as a tool to convey ideologies.

Like a liberal author can write just to demonstrate the good sides of
liberalism, a Marxist author can want to show the bad of liberalism and
can want to canalize people to Marxist organization.
Great Marxist Writers and Literary Works

John Steinback Mikhail Shoholov Bertolt Brecht

The Grapes of Wrath Tales from the Don

For his down-to-earth and
imaginative writings that
combine sympathetic humour and
acute social perception
For his artistic strength and Stalin Prize for Inter-People's Peace
integrity in his work 'Tales of the and Agreement
Don', which describes a historical
period in the life of the Russian
people
Stealing the Fire written
by Galina Serebryakova
To understand what is Marxism, in what kind of condition it was born, why people
need it, and what those concepts mentioned before and what they represent I strongly
recommend reading literary works rather than theoretical books.

I would like to mention one in particular here. Actually, it is not one, it is a series of
books called "Stealing The Fire" written by Galina Serebryakova.
Marxist Literary Criticism
Class conflicts and struggles and their background

The relation of production (the economic base and superstructure)

False class consciousness and alienation

Classless society and communism

Analysing the book Oliver Twist written by Charles Dickens using these concepts.
Questions
Are there any references to class conflicts and struggles and their
background?

Why are there so many orphans and why is there no social security?

Is there any mention of working-class organization or struggle? Or not

What could be the reasons why the author ignores these?

How would you discuss the concept of alienation from society and
alienation from oneself in the case of Oliver Twist or other characters?