Karl Marx presentation on history and works

Karl Marx presentation on history and works

1. Karl Marx (5 May 1818 - 14 March 1883) German Philosopher, Economist, sociologist, Journalist, and revolutionary Socialist. Father of modern socialism, communism, and conflict theory.

2. What is Marxism? A Set of Theories, or system of thought and analysis developed by Karl Marx in the 19th Century in response to Western Industrial revolution and the Rise of Industrial Capitalism as the predominant Economic Mode. Marxism is a Western intellectual tradition spanning 150 years, consisting of 3 components: A political doctrine A philosophy of History And an analysis of the functioning of the economy

3. Marx’s Major Works

4. The Communist Manifesto (1948) Co-authored with Friedrich Engels, this pamphlet outlines the principles of communism and serves as a rallying cry for workers' movements worldwide. It Argues that “The history of all up till now existing societies is the history of class struggle”. As Class struggle is the engine room of history, to understand the course of history. The development of class consciousness and challenges the dominant classes through revolutionary moments.

5. Das Kapital (1867) In it, he analyzes the capitalist system, its mechanisms of exploitation, and its inherent contradictions. Marx explores the dynamics of capitalism, including the labor theory of value, surplus value, and the inevitable crises of overproduction. Mclellan (1971) states about Das Kapital, “It refers to class struggle mainly in the context of the struggle between capital and labour , within capitalism, rather than over it suppression.”

6. Capitalism Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets. In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment is determined by the owners of the factors of production in financial and capital markets. Prices and the Distribution of goods are mainly determined by competition in the market.

7. Karl Marx’s Philosophies (Marxism) Dialectical Materialism Historical Materialism Means and Relations of Production Concept of Society Class Conflict Class Struggle Surplus Value Alienation of labour

8. Dialectical Materialism In simplified form, Dialectical Materialism states that ideas and thoughts of human changes in a dialectical process due to the movement and existence of the matter. Building upon the dialectical method of Hegel, Marx developed dialectical materialism, which views society and nature as undergoing constant change through the interplay of contradictions. Marx applied this framework to analyze the contradictions within capitalism, such as the conflict between capitalists and workers, and predicted that these contradictions would eventually lead to the system's collapse.

9. Dialectical Process In general terms a thesis is a starting point, an antithesis is a reaction to it and a synthesis is the outcome. The movement from one stage to another in society could be explained by using thesis, antithesis and synthesis. The outcome, in the long term would be a new form of relations within a classless society, namely communism. This would be the synthesis.

10. Historical Materialism Marx's theory of historical materialism posits that the development of society is determined by changes in the material conditions of production, such as technology, resources, and modes of production. Economic factors shape social, political, and cultural institutions, driving historical change. The system of class division is dependent on mode of production. Society moves from stages to stages when the dominant class is displaced by a new emerging class. There is a distinction between means of production and the relations of production.

11. Means and Relations of Production The means of production Land Natural resources Technology Relations of production The social and technical relationships people enter into. As they acquire and use the means of production. This comprised not only relations among individual, but among groups of people or classes.

12. Social Superstructure Ways of thinking ,values, ideas Forms of social consciousness Ideologies Social Institutions Religion Family Education Media Government /the state

13. Forces of Production The forces of production express the degree to which human beings control nature. The more advanced the productive forces are, greater is their control over the nature and vice versa. According to Marx, the forces of production includes means of production and labour power. In every social order there is a continuous change in the material forces of production. Productive forces have an intrinsic tendency to develop, as human beings’ knowledge and mastery over nature increase.

14. Relation between Base and Superstructure In Marxist theory, society consists of two parts: the base (or substructure) and superstructure. The base comprises the forces and relations of production (e.g. employer–employee work conditions, the technical division of labour , and property relations) into which people enter to produce the necessities and amenities of life. The superstructure determines society's other relationships and ideas to comprise its superstructure, including its culture, institutions, political power structures, roles, rituals, and state.

15. Relation between Base and Superstructure While the relation of the two parts is not strictly unidirectional, as the superstructure often affects the base, the influence of the base is predominant. Marx and Engels warned against such economic determinism.

16. Class Conflict Marx identified society as divided into different social classes with conflicting interests, particularly between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class). Class conflict arises from the inherent contradiction between the interests of the ruling class, who control the means of production, and the exploited working class, who provide labor.

17. Class Struggle The perpetual tension, conflict or the antagonism between the owning and the non-owning class is called Class struggle. According to Marx, “the history of all up till now existing society is the history of class struggle.” “Freeman and slave, lord and serf, guild master and journey man, oppressor and the oppressed stood in constant opposition to one another, carried on uninterrupted fight that each time ended in a revolutionary reconstitution of society at large.

18. Surplus Value Karl Marx held that human labour was the source of economic value. The capitalist pays his workers less than the value their labour has added to the goods, usually only enough to maintain the worker at a subsistence level. Of the total worth of the worker’s labour , however, this compensation, in Marxian theory, accounts for only a mere portion, equivalent to the worker’s means of subsistence.

19. Surplus Value The remainder is “surplus labour ,” and the value it produces is “surplus value.” To make a profit, Marx argued, the capitalist appropriates this surplus value, thereby exploiting the labourer . This appropriation of surplus is Called ‘Exploitation’ by Marx.

20. Alienation Marx described alienation as the estrangement or separation of individuals from the products of their labor, from the process of production, from their fellow workers, and from their own human essence. Under capitalism, workers are alienated from the fruits of their labor, which are owned and controlled by capitalists, leading to feelings of powerlessness, isolation, and dissatisfaction.

21. Inevitability of Socialism Marx argued that over time, capital (money) would concentrate in the hands of a small number of capitalists. Finally, the lower class would rise up, overthrow the capitalists, and establish a Dictatorship of the Proletariat. At first, the Dictatorship of the Proletariat would need absolute powers to make sure Reactionaries didn’t bring back capitalism. But before long, the workers would learn to share everything equally – “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” Karl Marx called this Communism, or the Ultimate Classless Society.

22. Applications of Marx’s Theories Economics: Marx's analysis of capitalism and his labor theory of value have influenced heterodox economic schools such as Marxist economics. These economists study the dynamics of capitalism, including the accumulation of capital, exploitation of labor, and economic crises, through a Marxian lens. They also examine alternatives to capitalism, such as socialism and communism. Sociology: Marx's theories of class struggle and historical materialism have had a significant impact on sociology. Marxist sociologists analyze social relations, power structures, and institutions, focusing on how economic factors shape society. They study class dynamics, social inequality, and the reproduction of capitalist ideology in culture and media.

23. Applications of Marx’s Theories Political Science: Marxist political theory examines the relationship between economics, politics, and power. Marxists analyze the state as an instrument of class rule, serving the interests of the ruling class. They also study imperialism, nationalism, and social movements within the context of capitalist society. History: Marx's historical materialism provides a framework for understanding historical change and development. Historians influenced by Marxism analyze historical events, processes, and movements through the lens of class struggle and economic forces. They examine how changes in the mode of production shape social structures, institutions, and ideologies over time.

24. Applications of Marx’s Theories International Relations: Marxist theories of imperialism and global capitalism have informed critical approaches to international relations. Marxists analyze the role of capitalism in shaping global power dynamics, conflicts, and inequalities. They also study transnational social movements and solidarity networks aimed at challenging capitalist globalization. Environmental Studies: Some scholars apply Marx's theories to environmental issues, arguing that capitalism's drive for endless growth and profit leads to ecological destruction and exploitation of natural resources. They advocate for eco-socialism and sustainable alternatives to capitalist production and consumption.

25. Criticism Lack of Incorporation of Subjective Factors: Critics argue that Marx's labor theory of value does not adequately account for subjective factors such as consumer preferences, market demand, and individual utility, which also play a role in determining prices and values in capitalist economies. Ignoring Marginal Utility: Critics contend that Marx's focus on labor as the sole source of value overlooks the role of marginal utility theory, which suggests that the value of a good is determined by its marginal utility to consumers.

26. Criticism Historical Determinism: Some critics argue that Marx's theory of historical materialism is overly deterministic, reducing complex historical processes to economic factors and neglecting the influence of ideas, culture, and individual agency in shaping historical events. Teleological Assumptions: Critics contend that Marx's teleological view of history, which posits the inevitable progression from capitalism to socialism and communism, lacks empirical evidence and underestimates the potential for alternative paths of social development.

27. Criticism Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism: Critics point to the historical implementation of Marxist ideas in various communist regimes, arguing that centralized state control and repression under these regimes contradict Marx's vision of a classless society and undermine individual freedoms. Infeasibility of Communist Society: Critics argue that Marx's vision of communism, characterized by the abolition of private property and the state, is impractical and utopian, failing to provide viable solutions to issues of resource allocation, incentive structures, and social organization.

28. Criticism Failure of Socialist Experiments: Critics cite the collapse of centrally planned economies and the shortcomings of socialist experiments in the 20th century as evidence of the impracticality and inefficiency of Marxist economic and political models. Lack of Clear Transition Mechanisms: Critics argue that Marx's theories do not offer clear mechanisms for transitioning from capitalism to socialism or communism, leaving unanswered questions about governance, resource allocation, and social organization during the transition period.

29. Thank You