Marx predicted that capitalism within a socioeconomic system would inevitably create internal tensions between social classes leading to its demise and replacement by a new system, communism. For Marx, the concept of class has always existed in society. Historically, a society has always been arranged into various orders of social rank. A defining characteristic of capitalism however, is that “it has simplified the class antagonisms. Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile camps, into two great classes directly facing each other: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat” (Marx and Engels 1848).
For Lenin, the party was to be a group prepared to seize power as soon as possible yet on the other hand, for Martov, the main purpose of the party was to spread propaganda and raise the level of consciousness of the proletariat. This was because he did not believe that Russia was ready for a Marxist revolution for many years. Lenin believed that is the Mensheviks had their way, it would take years to start the revolution; they would just waste time on useless discussion and argument. Martov, replied that the revolution would fail if it did not have the support of the whole working class. The social democratic party remained spilt on the issue.
4. Believed industrialism forced people into two rival categories: the middle class and the working class. These classes would always fight for political power, but the middle class would always rule because it owned the factories, property, and money and needed to oppress the workers to stay in power. 5. He advised workers to form unions that would overthrow the middle class.
The concept of a classless society has been elaborated by Karl Marx, the father of Marxist philosophy which is the basis of the Communist ideology. As a member of a contemporary society under a democracy, my beliefs are rooted on a society made up of different classes. In order to get to a higher class of society, one has to work with sweat, and even blood. This idea has caused many revolutions because some who do not want the present structure of society want it to be restructured to suit the need of every individual. This essay is an attempt to discuss a classless society and to establish whether a classless society is attainable and sustainable in this century.
He believes that this will ease the process of transformation, and end the constant oppression that is present. Lenin quotes Marx that following the revolution; there is “political transition period in which the state can be nothing but the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat.” Lenin agrees with Marx and believes that the state in its current form is highly oppressive that that no matter what has been said or has been put on paper, men are inevitably unequal and that “democracy is always hemmed in by the narrow limits set by capitalist exploitation.” Lenin is angered by the fact the higher class (the bourgeoisie) have the utmost control and the working class (the proletariat) must follow their reign. This is when Lenin’s main argument is revealed: The proletariat must suppress the bourgeoisie immediately in order to “free humanity from wage slavery.” Lenin wants the “complete withering away of the state.” He believes that this will happen with the proletariat through the “dictatorship of the proletariat.” The majority of the society will
However Lenin was faced troubles on all fronts. The social problems needed to be addressed if Russia would be able to achieve communism, which was the Bolsheviks main goal for Russia. The Bolsheviks had seized a country that had social problems as a result of Russia’s many national minorities. Then was the ongoing class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. The proletariat being the working class and the bourgeoisie were the middle class.
Andrew Wodarcyk Freshman English Mr. J. Pharion 11 February 2008 Communism During the Russian Revolution Communism was founded on the ideas of Karl Marx and failed because of flaws in the system, mainly in the leadership. To understand why communism failed, one must have researched the principles of Marxism; because of the way that Communism was based upon Marxism. To compare and contrast Communism and Marxism, it would be necessary to research the principles of Communism also. Since there were three leaders during the time of Soviet Communism, understanding the principles of each would be necessary. The first was Vladimir Lenin, whose style of government was referred to as Leninism.
It is important to note that Mussolini also advocated ideas of anti-egalitarianism and elitism, making him a very peculiar socialist. He was tied up in underground financial deals which may have changed certain of his political conceptions. When WWI broke out Mussolini first opposed the war but soon realized it was an opportunity (to overthrow the Hapsburg Hohenzollern families, whom he saw as imperialist and anti-socialist. He also saw WWI as an opportunity) for the working classes to rise up and participate in the Italian
Greg Thompson COM 240 Dr. Bettler October 26, 2011 Midterm Take Home Essay Marxism is a theory that is based on removing the exploitation of the working class, or the proletariat, by the middle class, or the bourgeoisie. According to Karl Marx this societal status quo is one of the major problems with capitalism. Part of this exploitation is being able to keep the proletariat under control. This can, seemingly obviously, be done by controlling the media and what the proletariat read, see and hear about in their everyday lives. On a broad scale this is done in the modern world and even in the United States of America.
Comments 0 more Karl Marx's Concept of a Classless Society - Marxist Theory By Jay Dioxy Riboz Dec 16, 2009 Edited Mar 3, 2013 0 0 Karl Marx and the society of today The utopian ideal - a classless society The concept of a classless society has been elaborated by Karl Marx, the father of Marxist philosophy which is the basis of the Communist ideology. As a member of a contemporary society under a democracy, my beliefs are rooted on a society made up of different classes. In order to get to a higher class of society, one has to work with sweat, and even blood. This idea has caused many revolutions because some who do not want the present structure of society want it to be restructured to suit the need of every individual. A classless society is a utopian ideal, it has never been reached.