Marxism

Karl Marx
 Marxism
 Developed by Karl
Marx in the 19th
century
 Marx and Engels
wrote the famous
“Communist
Manifesto” in 1846
 Marx developed the
political system
known as
Communism
 Marxism
 When considering
Marxist theory it is
useful to remember
the 3 Cs;
 Class
 Conflict
 Capitalism
 These provide a
“baseline” to Marxist
theory
 CAPITALISM
 Is an economic system where capital
goods are privately owned and capital
accumulation is desired to reach
maximum profit.
 Class -the basis of Marxist theory
 Marx was concerned by the
inequalities between social
classes
 A very small proportion of
wealthy people owned huge
amounts of land and factories
 Marx called these people the
BOURGEOISIE and the land or
factories they owned the
MEANS OF PRODUCTION
 Most of the people worked for
the Bourgeoisie as waged
labourers
 The basis of Marxist theory
 These waged labourers were
named the PROLETARIAT and
were exploited, claimed Marx,
by the bourgeoisie as they
earned only enough money to
survive.
 All the Proletariat owned was
their labour and thus had no
control over their working lives
and no share in the profits
 Factory production lines meant
they became “alienated” from
their craft
 Class, conflict and capitalism
 The differences between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat
demonstrate a wide class division.
 According to Marx, the interests of the bourgeoisie or ruling class
were protected and promoted.
 The ensuing social inequalities caused conflict in society.
 Capitalism also causes conflict of interest between the classes.
 The need for the bourgeoisie to make profits is in conflict with the
need of the proletariat to earn enough money to have decent living
standards.
 Profits certainly came first during the Industrial Revolution.
 The bourgeoisie became extremely wealthy while the proletariat
worked long hours for little pay and lived in squalor.
 HISTORICAL MATERIALISM
 Human history advances in stages ad each
stage is defined by the existing relations
of production found within a certain era.
 ALIENATION
 There is a disconnection with the working
class from the fruits of their labor due to
their low wages.
 Communism
 Marx envisions a communal society after
the collapse of capitalism which he
considers the endpoint of history.
 They promote the abolishment of
Capitalism, therefore bringing political and
economic equality for everyone