Marxists

and Identity

By Imaad Nasir and Zain Babar Ayaz

introduction

Values and norms shape a person’s identity, that

is, how they see themselves and how others see
them. For almost four decades the question of
identity has remained as a debatable issue
among Marxists. The question in turn pertains to
a Marxist understanding of oppression based on
identity. In this presentation we will discuss this
topic.
Social Class and Class
culture
Marxists argue that the most significant part of a
person’s identity is their social class. A person’s social
class determines the way that a person sees the world
around them. At the time that Marx wrote, this was very
likely to have been the case since working class culture
was so distinct from ruling class culture. An example of
this is, the class you belonged to used to be likely to
determine how a person voted, what they did in their
free time and what kind of education a person might
receive or even pursue.
 Social construction
Marxist theory asserts that identities are not fixed or
innate but rather socially constructed. Individuals develop
their identities through interactions within specific social,
economic, and historical contexts. From a Marxist
perspective, these contexts are intricately linked to the
prevailing modes of production and the distribution of
resources within a society. The dominant capitalist
economic system, for instance, shapes identities by
influencing individuals' access to wealth, education, and
opportunities. As a result, identity is not solely a matter of
personal choices, but is significantly influenced by the
broader social environment.
Identity and Cultural
hegemony
Cultural hegemony, a concept introduced by Marxist
thinker Antonio Gramsci, is another key element in
understanding identity from a Marxist perspective. It
refers to the dominance of a particular culture's
values, beliefs, and norms over others. In this context,
identities are often constructed within the confines of
the dominant culture, reinforcing the existing power
structures. The ruling class, by controlling cultural
production and dissemination, molds identities that
align with its interests, while marginalizing alternative
perspectives. This process maintains social order by
ensuring that identities remain subservient to the
prevailing economic and political systems.