Marx-Engels

• State

  Liberal state was merely a committee managing everyday affairs for the ruling capitalist class and could never provide an evolutionary road to socialism

  Wake of revolution- new state should rise to govern interests of the new economically dominant class then replaced by communism
• Human nature

  • humans are inherently social and cooperative
  • individuals seek to fulfil their needs and achieve self actualisation through meaningful work and community
  • capitalism distorts this natural desire, leading to alienation from labour where workers become disconnected from the products of their work and own humanity
• Human nature: Counterpoints

  1. classical liberalism: posits that individuals are primarily motivated by self interest and capitalism provides opportunities for personal freedom
  2. libertarianism: emphasises individual autonomy ans choice, arguing that minimal government interference allows for the best expression of human potential
• Society

  • humans live together to fulfil basic needs and to produce goods collectively
  • cooperation is undermined by class struggles and exploitation
  • structured around economic relationship- conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat
• Society: Counterpoints

  1. democratic socialists: supports collective ownership and cooperation while emphasising the need for democratic process within societal structures
  2. neo-liberalism: claims that cooperation, drives societal advancement and market forces should dictate social dynamics
• State

  • view capitalist bourgeoisie state as a tool of oppression that serves the interests of the bourgeoisie
  • state must be seized by proletariat
  • a dictatorship of the proletariat will represent the working class's interests, leading to a stateless classless communist society after wealth id returned to common ownership
• State: Counterpoints

  1. burkian conservatism: asserts that state provides stability and order
  2. authoritarian conservatism: believes in a strong state to maintain social order and traditional values
• Economy

  • common ownership of the mean of production and distribution
  • should meet human needs
  • redistribution of resources based on the principle of from each according to his ability to each according to his needs
• Economy: Counterpoints

  1. neo-liberalism: argues free market is the most efficient mechanism for resource allocation and government intervention distorts economic efficiency
  2. social democracy: supports a mixed economy where state intervenes for the welfare of citizens while maintaining capitalist elements to encourage growth
• Revolution

  • revolution is necessary to overthrow capitalism leading to the next stage of capitalism
  • proletariat will achieve class consciousness, unite and use their collective power to seize control of the means of production
  • establishing dictatorship of the proletariat will pave way to classless society
• Revolution: Counterpoints

  1. democratic socialism: emphasises reform through democratic means rather than immediate revolutionary change
  2. one nation conservatism: argues for stability and gradual reform to address inequalities
• Class

  • define class primarily in terms of economic relations
  • bourgeoisie owns the means of production while the proletariat sells their labour
  • class struggle is the primary driver of historical change, making class a central aspect of societal dynamics
• Class: Counterpoints

  1. social liberalism: while class is relevant, individual merit and opportunity should be emphasised over class struggles
  2. classical liberalism: holds that class distributions are not as significant as individual rights and freedoms
• Examples:

  • Labour Party: founded with marxists influences to represent working class interests and promote social justice through policies like National Minimum Wage Act
  • Trade unions laws: Trade Union Act 2016- reflects ongoing influence of Marxist ideas
  • Equality Act 2010- protect individuals from discrimination based on class related factors
• Important works

  The Communist Manifesto 1848