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Summary of Marxism

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Summary of Marxism

o The first type of Marxism, associated with Marx (1818-1883)

o Influenced by Hegel (1770-1831) - Idealism

o Economics, Philosophy, Politics

o Conflict, Structuralist

o Wanted to understand and explain the human condition as he found it in Capitalist Society

o Wanted to investigate the dynamics of Capitalist Society

o Get a theoretical grasp to understand the mechanisms at work in the overall process of historical change in which Capitalism was a phase – used historical epochs to show this change with each having a dominant class

o Under capitalism humans are alienated from their world, work, others and themselves – Capitalism is based on surplus value and the labour theory of value

o Marx was aware of intermediate classes (petit-bourgeoisie or lumpenproletariat) but thought they would become polarised into Bourgeoisie and Proletariat.

o Because he felt that all human experiences and behaviours were linked to the economic conditions at the time; currently Capitalism he is known as an economic determinist

o False-class consciousness which is ideological control blinds the Proletariat from the true nature of their oppression and hinders the revolutionary process

Neo-Marxism

Gramsci (1891-1937)

o Founding member and one-time leader of The Communist Party.

o More political than philosophical

o Wanted to examine why no revolution? How is Capitalism maintaining and reproducing itself ideologically and culturally?

o Created concept of, and examined ‘Hegemony’ – the power exercised by one social group over another.

o He did this through social structures

o Followed Marxist principles of Capitalism creating alienation and Communism being utopian

Althusser (1918 – 1990)

o Structural Marxist

o As

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