MARXISM 1

Marxism

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Professor

Course

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MARXISM 2

Marxism by Karl Marx

The social and economic structures that have their foundation on the economic and

political hypothesis of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are referred to as Marxism. The

Marxism ideology has been adopted by some of the established and successful political and

economic systems in the world today. The theoretical framework that Marxism proposes has

often been challenged by the capitalism theory from the various scholars and subject matter

experts in different fields of expertise. The political and economic propositions that have been

associated with Marxism are the dominant characteristics where the wealth, ownership of the

medium of exchange, distribution and production are owned and controlled by the

community1. The idea of Marxism disagrees with the private ownership of resources where

people amass wealth and power at the expense of the others.

Benefits of the theory

In the analysis of the society, the notion of Marxism is applicable in the equitable

sharing of the resources that are available in the political as well as economic systems for the

common good of all. Karl Marx understanding of the political, social, and economic system

proposed that communism would be the most suitable means of ensuring that there is progress

in the community in the three aspects. Karl Marx understanding can be analyzed to be based

on the historical materialism that existed in the community where the wealthy and the

impoverished people lived in the same community2. Historical materialism is synonymous

with capitalism where the individual ownership of wealth, political, and economic power was

allowed. Such a person could use their wealth, political influence to manipulate others for

personal enrichment and this contrary to the social virtues and norms.

1
Dave, Holmes. 2001. Marxism, socialism & religion. Chippendale, Australia: Resistance Books.pp.21
2
Dave, Holmes. 2001. Marxism, socialism & religion. Chippendale, Australia: Resistance Books.pp.47
MARXISM 3

Marxism and its principles established a society that had a framework of true equality

and the respect for the civil rights and liberties of the people. Societal concerns such as gender

roles and disparities associated with gender are amicably solved in a Marxist society.

Similarly, access to healthcare, education and other issues of societal concern are better

addressed under communism. This implies that the social benefits a Marxist society as the

struggles and hustles of life are limited since there are equitable resources for all. The national

debt of any community in a Marxist society is reduced since the community works together to

achieve success for the nation with the support from the government in the distribution of the

available resources3. When a scenario arises that calls for a change or transformation of some

aspects of the Marxist society, it represented the best community to implement such a change.

This is because such a change is analyzed from the benefits to the community and not from an

individual perspective.

With the involvement of all the stakeholders in the community, the change is either

agreed upon or rejected without any retaliation to the political and governance systems. From

an industrial working environment perspective, the notion of Marxism encourages the

workers or employees to stand and champion for their rights. This establishes the parameters

for checks and balances that enhance the productivity and job satisfaction. Exploitation from

the management cannot thrive in a Marxist society since the people are more empowered and

the workers' unions are much stronger and vigilant when the rights of the workers are

infringed.

Limitations to the Marxist theory

3
Dave, Holmes. 2001. Marxism, socialism & religion. Chippendale, Australia: Resistance Books.pp.63
MARXISM 4

Despite the above ideological advantages of the approach to the Marxist society, there

have been criticisms regarding the idea of Marxism4. Professionals in various fields of

practice such as philosophy, economics, politics, and academia have criticized the Marxist

theory saying that it could be improved. This implies that according to them it is not the most

appropriate political and economic mechanism that can be adopted by a community.

Different approaches to the political and economic systems suggest that other theories

can be more influential than the Marxist theory. Other theoretical approaches could be

incorporated to improve the Marxist theory and make it more efficient and beneficial to the

community. Some of the constraints that are associated with a Marxist community are that it

encourages laziness among some members of the society who ride on the efforts of others

since resources are communally owned. A Marxist society limits the opportunities and

entrepreneurial skills of a person since private ownership of a business entity is prohibited in

such a society. The skills and the opportunities that could be exploited by such a person go to

waste and they could help the community and the individual tremendously. The only option

for such a person is to work for the government where their job satisfaction would not be

assured5. The Marxist ideology is accused of trying to abolish religion despite having faith

one is not allowed to practice it.

The understanding behind this is that religion is seen to exercise some control over the

followers of a certain faith and this would contravene the community approach advocated by

Marxism. This is because the different religions would divide the people and promote

ideological differences and views against others. This would result in the societal breakdown

from the ideologies promoted by communism of having one community that speaks and does

4
Lise,Vogel, and Ferguson, Susan. 2013. Marxism and the oppression of women: toward a unitary theory.
Leiden: Brill.pp.77
5
Lise,Vogel, and Ferguson, Susan. 2013. Marxism and the oppression of women: toward a unitary theory.
Leiden: Brill.pp.83
MARXISM 5

everything the same way. The approach to the ideals of Marxism can be a threat to democracy

for the perceived good of the community might be controlled by a section of some members

of the community who are the majority while the views of the minority are ignored and

condemned6. Dissenting opinions to what the majority decides always prevails hence having

no room for negotiations on the views and concerns of the minority.

A communist society does not have regard and value for private ownership that might

be as a result of genuine hard work and personal efforts as well as the struggles that a person

has undergone to own property. This impedes growth and development of the communist

society. The communism approach in building the economy of the nation is a qualitative

approach and is not sufficient in assessing the level of ones contribution to the community.

The Marxist ideology could be improved or made more efficient when combined with other

ideologies such as capitalism7. The reason behind this is to establish an effective balance and

equilibrium with the development of the political, economic, and social perspective of the

community at heart. A contingency approach to the application of an ideological framework

of the social, economic and political influence should be adopted. This illustrates the

flexibility and commitment of the society to adapt to changes whenever a situation calls for

such.

6
Lise,Vogel, and Ferguson, Susan. 2013. Marxism and the oppression of women: toward a unitary theory.
Leiden: Brill.pp.92
7
Lise,Vogel, and Ferguson, Susan. 2013. Marxism and the oppression of women: toward a unitary theory.
Leiden: Brill.pp.98
MARXISM 6

Bibliography

Holmes, Dave. 2001. Marxism, socialism & religion. Chippendale, Australia: Resistance

Books.

Vogel, Lise, and Susan Ferguson. 2013. Marxism and the oppression of women: toward a

unitary theory. Leiden: Brill.