Marxism is a comprehensive social, economic, and political theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that analyzes society through the lens of class conflict and seeks revolutionary change toward collective ownership and equality. Below is a summary in bullet points addressing its core goals, methods, strengths and weaknesses, impact, and its distinctions from Socialism and Capitalism.wikipedia+3
Establishment of a classless society and elimination of social class distinctions.reddit+1
Abolition of private property in the means of production; move toward collective ownership and democratic control.library.fiveable+3
Ensuring the fruits of labor are enjoyed by all, eliminating worker alienation and exploitation.britannica
Progression from capitalist to socialist, and ultimately to communist societies, marked by abundance and the end of scarcity.library.fiveable
Class struggle: Central mechanism for historical change, with revolution as the means to topple the capitalist order.simplypsychology+3
Centralized planning: Economic activity is planned and managed to meet social needs instead of private profit.reddit
Dictatorship of the proletariat: Transitional phase where workers seize state power and suppress resistance from the former ruling class.library.fiveable
Workers’ control: Promotion of worker self-management through councils or cooperatives in production and governance.reddit
Social welfare programs: Extensive programs for healthcare, education, and housing to enhance equality.reddit
Cultural and ideological transformation: Education and media used to foster collectivist values and counter individualistic/capitalist ideologies.reddit
Provides a powerful framework for analyzing power dynamics, social conflict, and economic exploitation.fiveable+1
Stresses true equality, gender parity, and universal access to health care, education, and welfare.flowpsychology
Has demonstrated predictive power regarding monopolization and dynamics of capitalist development.flowpsychology
Protects labor rights and legitimizes trade unions and collective bargaining.fiveable+1
Offers practical benefits in reducing inequality and organizing society around collective well-being.getrevising+1
Historic implementations have shown economic inefficiencies (slow productivity growth, neglected consumer goods).peofdev.wordpress
Limits individual property rights and entrepreneurial opportunities, reducing incentives and innovation.flowpsychology
Can lead to authoritarian governance or repression (as in Soviet and Maoist regimes).economicsfromthetopdown
Tends toward bureaucratic centralization, risking abuse and lack of individual freedom.flowpsychology
Some problems in practice: neglect of market signals, scarcity, corruption, and poor incentives.peofdev.wordpress
Profound influence on labor movements, trade unions, and social welfare policies worldwide.fiveable
Inspired critical theory and cultural critique (Frankfurt School, Adorno, Marcuse, Habermas).fiveable
Shaped postcolonial studies (Fanon, dependency theory, world-systems theory).fiveable
Continued relevance as a critique of capitalism and analytical tool for social inequality, even after collapse of Soviet-style Marxism.hardonsj+1
| Aspect | Marxism | Socialism | Capitalism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Collective, abolition of private propertywikipedia+2 | Collective or state, may allow private propertyallriot+1 | Private individuals/corporationssimplypsychology+1 |
| Class Structure | Seeks stateless, classless societywikipedia+2 | Reduces class differences but may retain stateallriot+1 | Maintains class divisions, profit motivesimplypsychology+1 |
| Method | Revolution, proletarian dictatorshiplibrary.fiveable | Gradual reform, democratic process or mixed economyallriot+1 | Market competition, profit maximizationsimplypsychology+1 |
| Motivation | Human need, equalitywikipedia+1 | Equality, social welfareallriot | Profit, private incentivessimplypsychology |
| Transition | Socialism as a transitional phase to communismlibrary.fiveable+1 | May be an end goal or mixed with capitalismallriot | No planned transition, continuous market cyclessimplypsychology |
Marxism is thus distinguished by its revolutionary commitment to a stateless, classless society and a systematic critique of capitalist exploitation, whereas Socialism encompasses a broader range of ideologies focused on collective welfare, and Capitalism prioritizes private property, market competition, and individual profit.britannica+2