Marxism is the name given to the set of political, social, philosophical and economic analyses formulated by Karl Marx and his close friend Friedrich Engles during the 19th Century - ideas which remain influential across the world today.
The basic tenets of Marxist thought hold that history is best understood in terms of class struggle and that the material forces of production in a society forms the dominating influence on the cultural/ideological superstructure of any given society - the mode of production determines the mode of life; for example a nomadic peoples culture will be centred around journeying to find fresh food and pasture, wheras a settled agricultural peoples society will be formed on the basis of their own mode of production. The dominant class in a society, which appropriates the surplus economic product of that society creates and supports the dominant ideology of their society, reinforcing their posisition at its top.
The surplus product of a society is the unpaid labour of the working classes - all those who do not own the means of production and whom must sell their labour in return for wages in order to survive. Capitalists buy this labour under its value which create profit. Eventually this leads to a crisis of 'overproduction' ofteb referred to as a 'recession' or 'slump', at which point the workers are abandoned as they are not employed for either a social need or for personal satisfaction - but for the generation of greater profits.
A Marxist state has never existed and is an oxymoron, as is Communist State, etc etc.
Marxism is a democratic ideology, beleiving that only the movement of the vast majority in individual nations and accross the world can overturn capitalism and create a world organised to provide for need, where a person is not tied like a serf forever to one job no matter how demeaning or pointless and where people give and take "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need".
The basic tenets of Marxist thought hold that history is best understood in terms of class struggle and that the material forces of production in a society forms the dominating influence on the cultural/ideological superstructure of any given society - the mode of production determines the mode of life; for example a nomadic peoples culture will be centred around journeying to find fresh food and pasture, wheras a settled agricultural peoples society will be formed on the basis of their own mode of production. The dominant class in a society, which appropriates the surplus economic product of that society creates and supports the dominant ideology of their society, reinforcing their posisition at its top.
The surplus product of a society is the unpaid labour of the working classes - all those who do not own the means of production and whom must sell their labour in return for wages in order to survive. Capitalists buy this labour under its value which create profit. Eventually this leads to a crisis of 'overproduction' ofteb referred to as a 'recession' or 'slump', at which point the workers are abandoned as they are not employed for either a social need or for personal satisfaction - but for the generation of greater profits.
A Marxist state has never existed and is an oxymoron, as is Communist State, etc etc.
Marxism is a democratic ideology, beleiving that only the movement of the vast majority in individual nations and accross the world can overturn capitalism and create a world organised to provide for need, where a person is not tied like a serf forever to one job no matter how demeaning or pointless and where people give and take "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need".
Marxism shows us that a handful of super rich individuals and companies determine the fate of national democracies and of the world - a world which is being eaten to death by the capitalist system of economic organisation.
by Michael86 April 29, 2007
Get the Marxism mug.When one takes pleasure in inflicting misfortune onto the rich and powerful (regardless of intentions).
Some of them suggest that he's not so much a champion of the oppressed so much as an adrenaline junkie who uses powerful and amoral opponents as a source of Marxist schadenfreude.
by The Logical Fallacy May 23, 2018
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The neo marxist used big words to mask his childhood insecurities.
"Do anyone of you know what realism is? Oh, i didnt think so. Now, coming from a neo marxist viewpoint..."
"Do anyone of you know what realism is? Oh, i didnt think so. Now, coming from a neo marxist viewpoint..."
by Kris Kringle April 22, 2006
Get the neo marxist mug.In short it's the real communism. Sadly the view of communism has been butchered by society and is now viewed as the mass killing of Russians and Chinese. Everyone can agree that Stalin had it wrong, so did Mao. But let's not forget the true words of Marx. So go ahead hate communism but don't let Marx get the blunt of your insults. Read the manifesto and see what was supposed to happen.
by luc/boots December 6, 2006
Get the marxism mug.An academic label for someone who adheres to the theories, or methods, of Karl Marx, who proved that society can be studied by science. The term is confused by a lot ignorant asshats who are unable to parse Marxism from small 'c' communism; the latter being a very specific type of society, whereas Marxism is more a way of understanding how the world is shaped by material conditions and the imperatives of class power, which are the real motor forces of history.
Marxists are defined by the methods they use to analyze society and develop systematic conceptualizations of its contradictory features, not by a strict political doctrine as is often believed.
by trotskyite November 15, 2006
Get the Marxist mug.A philosophy-turned-governmental-ideology, usually mistaken for Stalinist/Leninist-Communist. This philosophy, although greatly misunderstood, is nothing more that the belief that the strong, the capable, and the powerful shoul support those too weak to support themselves. This philosophy, created by Karl Marx, was meant to be the fundamental building block for a utopian society, but was later taken up by a man named Lenin, who twisted and warped the pure isea of Socialism and turned it into Leninist-Communism. Later adopted by Joseph Stalin, who made the idea of Socialism a cruel cycle of death, hatred, and intolerence.
I try to be the best Marxist-Socialist I can be by using my wealth and strength for the purpose of helping out those who are in need.
by Deus Ex Magna June 17, 2005
Get the Marxist-Socialist mug.A person who is often mistakenly accused of wanting government to control everything and hand out free shit.
by Sitbear November 12, 2020
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