Karl Marx: Most Famous Philosopher in the World
Date: 15 June, 2020
“Workers of the World Unite. You have nothing to lose except Chains”
Karl Marx was born in Trier, Germany on May 5, 1818. He was a Philosopher, Economist, Historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, Activist and socialist revolutionary.
Heinrich Marx was his father, Henriette Pressburg was his mother. He was married to Jenny von Westphalen in 1843. He has to face the heat because of his attacking and critical publications and forced to exile in the United Kingdom. Together with Friedrich Engels, He has written a pamphlet in 1848, The Communist Manifesto which attracted the entire world. Later Karl Marx has written Das capital.
Karl Marx is the most influential Political Philosopher in the World. He said that Philosophers have only interpreted the world. What matters is to change it. These words of Marx are so suited to him in the sense that Marxism is Praxis.
Statue of Karl Marx and Hegels
What is Praxis?
Praxis is a theory which leads to action. We can also call it Actions which are based on Scientific Knowledge.
It is because of the influence of the Ideas of Karl Marx that ever since the October Revolution in Russia, 1917, the world was divided into 2 blocks:
1. The Capitalist lead by the United States of America
2. The Marxist lead by United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR).
It is because of the influence of the Ideas of Karl Marx that ever since the October Revolution in Russia, 1917, the world was divided into 2 blocks:
1. The Capitalist lead by the United States of America
2. The Marxist lead by United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR).
Karl Marx is the only Philosopher in the world after whose name exists the Political ideology called Marxism. He is often considered as a God by his followers. He was the first thinker who talked from the perspective of Poor and the exploited class. Marx dead or Alive continues the Haunt the Capitalist.
It is true that since the fall of USSR in 1991, the popularity of Marxism is declined. But it will be wrong to say that Marxism does no longer exist today. Ever since the Global Financial Crisis in 2009, the interest in Marxism has only increased.
It is because of Karl Marx that the nature of Capitalism is changed today. Many western countries have adopted the ideology of a welfare State. The wide acceptance of the concept of Welfare State is itself an acknowledgement of Success of Karl Marx.
It is because of Karl Marx that the nature of Capitalism is changed today. Many western countries have adopted the ideology of a welfare State. The wide acceptance of the concept of Welfare State is itself an acknowledgement of Success of Karl Marx.
Karl Marx as a Thinker
“Violence is the mother of Change. There has been no birth without Bloodshed” – Karl Marx on his Socialism
Karl Marx was a Socialist. We see the origin or socialism and its ideas in the western world during the French Revolution. It was during the time of the French Revolution that we see people talking about equality and Fraternity.
Undoubtedly Karl Marx is the most important figure when we talk about Socialism. Due to his popularity, Socialists are often divided into 2 classes:
1. Socialist before Marx and
2. Socialist after Marx
Undoubtedly Karl Marx is the most important figure when we talk about Socialism. Due to his popularity, Socialists are often divided into 2 classes:
1. Socialist before Marx and
2. Socialist after Marx
Marx proudly calls his socialism as an ideology which is based on scientific evidence and Socialists before him as Utopians. He is calling them utopians as they were trying to bring Socialism through peaceful means by appealing to the conscience of the Capitalists.
According to him, Socialism can never come peacefully but through violent revolution. Socialism is a modern doctrine which says that industrial society needs not to be organized on the Principles of Capitalism (Competition). It can also be organized on the Principles of Socialism (Co-operation).
Principles of Karl Marx
What is Historical Materialism?
It is a Philosophy of Karl Marx. It is also called a Theory of History. According to Marx, to change the history one must know the laws of History. According to Marx, It is the matter which is changing history and not the ideas (as claimed by Hegel).
Karl Marx says that Historical Materialism is a Scientific Explanation of History. To understand history scientifically we have to understand the first historical act of man. Whether man started thinking or production? He adds that the 1st Historical Act was Production and not thinking as without eating man cannot survive.
So According to Karl Marx, Manual labour is more important than intellectual labour as without manual labour man cannot produce and Survive.
So According to Karl Marx, Manual labour is more important than intellectual labour as without manual labour man cannot produce and Survive.
Marx criticizes the intellectual class which gave importance to intellectual labour rather than manual labour. So we can say that he also criticizes the theory of Plato in which he says that those performing intellectual labour ought to be the Kings and those who are doing manual labour must be deprived permanently from becoming the King.
As a result of intellectual promoting and thinking about themselves only, Marx said that Intellectual people are also exploiter class. Marx said that it is the mater which is the ultimate reality and not ideas as said by Hegel.
What is Communism?
Communism is a utopia of Karl Marx. It is a classless and Stateless Society. It is a state of Perfect freedom and ultimate happiness. Communism is the advanced form of a socialist society. Once the Socialist society is achieved then the final result will be Communism under which everyone will be free to grow in life. They won’t be controlled by any Government or King.
USSR was the first country where revolution happened.
Superstructure Theory by Karl Marx
“Religion is the Opium of Masses” – Karl Marx
Karl Marx said that if we want to understand society then it is important to understand the basic structure of the Society. This basic structure is made by Economic structure of the Society.
He goes back to the origin of Society; the origin of the society is the need for satisfaction of the appetite of man. As he suggests that to make history, to live man has to produce. Production is the basis of Society.
He goes back to the origin of Society; the origin of the society is the need for satisfaction of the appetite of man. As he suggests that to make history, to live man has to produce. Production is the basis of Society.
What is Society?
Society is the division of labour for the satisfaction of Appetite. A man enters into the relations of production with each other. The earliest society is of hunters and gatherers. Thus the structure of Production or economic structure is the basic structure.
The economic structure is the basic structure. Other structures are taking their roots from this economic structure. Other structures do not have any independent existence of their own. They are just a reflection of the base.
The institutions of the superstructure are not neutral. The class which controls the economic structure also controls the superstructure.
The institutions of the superstructure are not neutral. The class which controls the economic structure also controls the superstructure.
The institutions of Superstructure are State, Religion, etc are not neutral. They are instruments of the dominant class. Hence, workers cannot expect Justice from the State. The nature of these institutions will not change until the basic structure remains the same.
Components of Economic Structure
Owner and Non-owners
- Means of Production: Land, Labour and Capital.
- Forces of Production: Technology
- Relations of Production:
Owner and Non-owners
Owners own the means of production like Land, Labour and Capital. So there are 2 classes which are formed. These are Haves and Have not’s. Haves are the exploiters and Have not’s are the ones who are exploited.
According to Karl Marx, the real identity of a person is his class. The interest of the class is the interest of the man who is present in that class. All Politics is the politics of class. The real interest of the workers is with the workers of the world.
According to Karl Marx, the real identity of a person is his class. The interest of the class is the interest of the man who is present in that class. All Politics is the politics of class. The real interest of the workers is with the workers of the world.
The Concept of Class and Class struggle by Karl Marx
“The history of all hitherto existing societies has been the History of Class struggle.” – Karl Marx
What is the class?
Class is an economic status which depends on a person’s relationship with the means of production. According to Karl Marx, there are only 2 classes. Owners and non-owners, haves and have nots, Exploiters and exploited, Dominated and Subjugated class.
Karl Marx division of History
Karl Marx has divided the history of the world into 2 groups:
1. The history of the West
2. The history of the East
1. The history of the West
2. The history of the East
Stages in the History of the West
1. Pre-Historic Age
This stage is called Primitive Communism. Initially, the property was held together by all. All were owners of the property, so society wasn’t divided into classes. Since classes were absent so there was no State. He tried to show that there was a time when a man was living without private property and man can live without private property.
2. Slave Society
There were 2 classes- masters and slaves. There was a continuous class struggle. The state was working in favour of the masters.
3. Feudal Society
There were 2 classes: Lords and Serfs. Again there was a continuous class struggle and state was working in favour of the people who own the resources and means of production.
4. Capitalism
There were two classes: Capitalists and Workers. The state is working in favour of Capitalists class and against the interest of the workers. Capitalists are the people who owns the means of production. These are usually the big businessman.
This stage is called Primitive Communism. Initially, the property was held together by all. All were owners of the property, so society wasn’t divided into classes. Since classes were absent so there was no State. He tried to show that there was a time when a man was living without private property and man can live without private property.
2. Slave Society
There were 2 classes- masters and slaves. There was a continuous class struggle. The state was working in favour of the masters.
3. Feudal Society
There were 2 classes: Lords and Serfs. Again there was a continuous class struggle and state was working in favour of the people who own the resources and means of production.
4. Capitalism
There were two classes: Capitalists and Workers. The state is working in favour of Capitalists class and against the interest of the workers. Capitalists are the people who owns the means of production. These are usually the big businessman.
5. Socialism
Socialism will be the first stage after the revolution of the Proletariat (Workers) class. Before this stage, there were 2 classes: workers and Capitalists. After revolution workers will capture the State. Now the working class will be free. Capitalist democracy was the dictatorship of the minority over the majority. Now Socialism will be a dictatorship of the Proletariat over the Bourgeoisie. It will be a democracy for the majority of the people. The main principle of distribution under Socialism is each according to his ability to each according to his need.
This stage for Socialism will be a temporary stage or a transitional stage. This stage is important for all the preparations before communism. As a result of the revolution now powers will be in the hands of workers but a lot of changes needs to be done for the good implementation of communism.
Socialism will be the first stage after the revolution of the Proletariat (Workers) class. Before this stage, there were 2 classes: workers and Capitalists. After revolution workers will capture the State. Now the working class will be free. Capitalist democracy was the dictatorship of the minority over the majority. Now Socialism will be a dictatorship of the Proletariat over the Bourgeoisie. It will be a democracy for the majority of the people. The main principle of distribution under Socialism is each according to his ability to each according to his need.
This stage for Socialism will be a temporary stage or a transitional stage. This stage is important for all the preparations before communism. As a result of the revolution now powers will be in the hands of workers but a lot of changes needs to be done for the good implementation of communism.
What happened after the revolution?
If we see the present examples of various countries like Russia, China, Vietnam and Cuba then what we found is that in none of the countries the stage of communism came. The revolution stopped at the stage of socialism and it was not a majority of the workers but the majority of the communist party of that country.
If we see the present examples of various countries like Russia, China, Vietnam and Cuba then what we found is that in none of the countries the stage of communism came. The revolution stopped at the stage of socialism and it was not a majority of the workers but the majority of the communist party of that country.
6. Communism
After the stage of Socialism, Communism will come peacefully. There is no need for a revolution. Revolution is only needed when Capitalist people were in power. Under the stage of Socialism, only workers will be the one who is ruling so there is no need for any revolution for the transition towards communism.
After the stage of Socialism, Communism will come peacefully. There is no need for a revolution. Revolution is only needed when Capitalist people were in power. Under the stage of Socialism, only workers will be the one who is ruling so there is no need for any revolution for the transition towards communism.
Under Communism, the State will make a declaration about the abolition of Private Property. Once there will be the abolition of Private property then all the classes will end. So there will be no class struggle in the Society. When classes end, the state won’t be needed. This will lead to withering away of the state. So finally we can say that communism is a form of Stateless Society.
It won’t be anarchy as the task which were done by the State before will be done by various Self Help Groups and voluntary associations of various people. Communism will be a caring society and we can say that it is a state of Perfect Freedom.
Karl Marx on Capitalism
Capitalism is a modern form of an economic system which encourages private property. It is a mode of production under which most of the products are mass-produced by machines which leads to surplus. The mass-producing of various materials leads to the cheaper cost of the finished products.
According to Karl Marx, this mass production of material through machines created a shortage of work for the workers. As the workers had only their labour to sell, they don’t have land or capital for their survival.
Marx says that Capitalism is dehumanizing. This capitalism turns the labour of people as a commodity which is to be bought or sold. So Capitalism is exploitative. As only profit is the prime engine of Capitalism. In Capitalism the motive of Production does not need but profit.
This profit can only be earned by reducing the cost of Production. The cost of production will only decrease when the wages are lowered. So the wages are kept low due to which labour is forced to work for their survival.
More and more machines lead to job losses for the labourers. These job losses are an extreme source of hardship for these poor people. Capitalism automatically leads to the monopolization of companies. Only big companies will survive because of extreme competition. This would lead to middle class becoming the class of Proletariat. As a result of which very few capitalist people will remain at the top with too much wealth.
What will happen to the Society under Capitalism?
There will be a complete imbalance in the Society. There will be too much concentration of wealth in the hands of a few capitalists businessman. This extreme Poverty will create the ground for Revolution in the Society. Masses need to develop revolutionary consciousness.
According to Karl Marx, there are two types of consciousness: 1. False Consciousness which is developed while following the capitalist class and their substructures like Religion.
He says that True Consciousness is the Class consciousness when workers will realize that they are exploited by the Capitalists.
After gaining this true consciousness worker will take up arms to fight the Capitalists and overthrow their regime and their structures.
He says that True Consciousness is the Class consciousness when workers will realize that they are exploited by the Capitalists.
After gaining this true consciousness worker will take up arms to fight the Capitalists and overthrow their regime and their structures.
Surplus Value Theory by Karl Marx
Karl Marx says that there are the following types of values:
1. Use value: This value is the total value which a commodity is having for a person
2. Exchange value: This is a value which a person is ready to exchange in return for some other commodity which has its value.
3. Surplus value: This is the profit which is gained by the Bourgeoisie. So these workers never get the true worth of their work. The Salaries will always be less when compared with their work. This Surplus value is theft by the Capitalists class. This is a form of exploitation.
1. Use value: This value is the total value which a commodity is having for a person
2. Exchange value: This is a value which a person is ready to exchange in return for some other commodity which has its value.
3. Surplus value: This is the profit which is gained by the Bourgeoisie. So these workers never get the true worth of their work. The Salaries will always be less when compared with their work. This Surplus value is theft by the Capitalists class. This is a form of exploitation.
Theory of Alienation by Karl Marx
This theory of Alienation by Karl Marx is inspired by the concept given by Hegel.
According to Hegel alienation is the separation of man from the Universal Spirit. Alienation can end by raising consciousness. As we increase our consciousness we realize that we are part of the Universal Spirit. Once alienation ends then the man attains full freedom and real happiness.
According to Hegel alienation is the separation of man from the Universal Spirit. Alienation can end by raising consciousness. As we increase our consciousness we realize that we are part of the Universal Spirit. Once alienation ends then the man attains full freedom and real happiness.
What is Alienation?
Alienation is the state or experience of being isolated from a group or an activity to which one should belong or in which one should be involved.
Marx went a step further and said that this alienation will not end once we come out of the influence of religion. Religion is just one part of the superstructure. We can end alienation only when we change the basic structure of the Capitalist society. This concept of alienation by Marx came in public light when he published his economic and philosophic manuscripts in 1930.
Marx went a step further and said that this alienation will not end once we come out of the influence of religion. Religion is just one part of the superstructure. We can end alienation only when we change the basic structure of the Capitalist society. This concept of alienation by Marx came in public light when he published his economic and philosophic manuscripts in 1930.
According to Marx, alienation is a situation where all freedom of man is taken up by the market. He says this alienation is the loss of real human nature. Everyone feels alienated in a Capitalist society. Just like the relation between the Doctor and Patient, there is the same relation between buyer and seller under which they cannot talk with each other.
A man is creative and social by nature. But because of Capitalism, a man is unable to enjoy the basic human nature. This alienation is faced by people at 4 levels:
1. Alienation from the Product of his labour: When a man is working then he creates a product. This product will not be related to what he wants to do in life but according to the demands of the market. Thus work loses its value and it becomes a burden to do it. He also focuses on the point that Capitalism is wrong when it says that man can only work efficiently when he is working under market condition. Marx believed that man will work most efficiently when he chooses his passion.
2. Alienation from the process of Production: Marx says that the process of production is so much mechanized that the status of man is reduced like a ‘cog in the wheel’. Thus he feels alienated from this process of production.
3. Alienation from his society: Capitalism leads to alienation of a man from society. Now people cannot follow their true nature. They are forced to work for a long time with low wages due to which they stay at work always and have no time for society.
4. Alienation from Himself: This is the last and final alienation. After all the above 3 alienations, a man will finally find himself alienated. The so-called freedom in the Capitalists society is not freedom but alienation of a man from himself. True freedom can only come with the overthrow of Capitalists.
Karl Marx on Freedom and Liberty
According to Karl Marx, Communism will bring a state of perfect Freedom. In communism, each person will work according to their ability and needs. The society will take care of the needs of the man. This freedom from the struggle of necessities is a stage of true freedom.
According to Marx, Liberty is a Bourgeoisie concept. Liberty in the Capitalist society is false consciousness.
Freedom is a situation where society guarantees the fulfilment of the basic needs of man. Freedom does not alienate man from a man but it ends the alienation.
According to Marx, Liberty is a Bourgeoisie concept. Liberty in the Capitalist society is false consciousness.
Freedom is a situation where society guarantees the fulfilment of the basic needs of man. Freedom does not alienate man from a man but it ends the alienation.
Karl Marx and Revolution
According to Marx, the revolution will happen in societies where capitalism is fully developed and matured. He says that it carries the seed of its destruction. Revolution will happen once the proletariat gets the self-consciousness. Then they can unite and overthrow the capitalist supported regime which works for them.
Karl Marx – Vladimir Lenin and Revolution
Lenin was the first person who tried to implement the ideas of Karl Marx. Karl Marx said that Revolution will come in the fully developed capitalist countries but Lenin cut short the history and brought the revolution in Semi-feudal and Semi industrialized Country.
Lenin: The man who led the Revolution in USSR
Vladimir Lenin played with the words of Karl Marx and brought a revolution in a country which has just started with Capitalism. There are a lot of different things which Lenin did when he brought the revolution in Russia. He established a communist party. This was not the idea of Karl Marx. Marx wanted the revolution to be lead by people. He never said that one type of slavery should pave the way for another type of Slavery. Marx talked about a fully conscious society which knows what’s right for them.
So Lenin cut short the process of Consciousness of the society as he was getting impatient. He founded the concept of Communist Party. This party was running with the support of the middle class and intellectuals. The revolution which was manufactured by Lenin was not started with the masses spontaneously but by the Communist Party.
Contribution of Karl Marx in today’s World
Karl Marx talked about a revolution which did happen in some of the countries and the biggest examples were USSR (Present Russia) and China. But the most vital contribution of Marx today is teaching the concept of Cooperation over Competition. It is this ideology which talked about Cooperation so that a better society can be created.
There are various Developed democratic countries which are following this concept and providing Free Healthcare and Education to its citizens and not ranking colleges based on 1 to 10 but on the basis that each college and every hospital must be the best which is nearby to a student or a Patient. Some of these countries are Norway, Finland, Germany and Sweden.
There are various Developed democratic countries which are following this concept and providing Free Healthcare and Education to its citizens and not ranking colleges based on 1 to 10 but on the basis that each college and every hospital must be the best which is nearby to a student or a Patient. Some of these countries are Norway, Finland, Germany and Sweden.
