Theory and Methods: Marxism
Marxism
The theory of Marxism is based on three core principles:
- Historical class struggles within society
- A direct critique of Capitalism
- A pursuit of a working class revolution
Superstructure and Infrastructure: Marx argues that the superstructure
is made up of all the social institutions that legitimise and reproduce the
class inequality in order to maintain the power of the Bourgeoisie. Without the
superstructure, the infrastructure would still stand but it will be weaker.
However, without the infrastructure, society would cease to exist.
Five Epochs:
- Primitive Communism: There is no concept of private property and everything is shared within communities. People live in promiscuous hordes.
- Ancient Societies: The first signs of a class system, agriculture grows forming a new wealthy elite. They want to possess as much land as possible, therefore taking over other countries.
REVOLUTION - Those that were enslaved realised that they needed
to break down the empire as the elite
were too weak.
- Feudalism: The leaders of the resistance form the new aristocracy who take over from the ruling class. Religion is created by the aristocracy to avoid another revolution and to give them the divine right to rule, Marx refers to this as the 'Opium of the people'. People began to trade their resources with one another.
- Capitalism: The merchants become the leaders as they could provide for the masses better than the monarchy, they became the Bourgeoisie.
REVOLUTION - Socialism, 'Dictatorship of the Proletariat'. The
masses will work together to create a
Communist society.
- Communism: Society is perfect, there is no need for religion as it oppresses.
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