What is Marxism?

Answer 1

Marxism is the adherence to the works and teachings of Karl Marx. Some call him a sociologist but I would say that is a VERY narrow view of his teachings

Answer 2

to start off there's political Marxism and social Marxism.

POLITICAL MARXISM
Many people think that Marxism is another word for Communism - its not, dont listen to them- they're as thick as two short planks. Marxism is the political ideals on which the practise of Communism is based. Namely, that the means of production should belong to the masses.
'Means of production' is basically what it says it is. How society produces all the elements it needs to keep alive such as warmth, food, water etc. In a capitalist society the means of production is money or capital - hense the title of Marx and Engles book 'Das Kapital'.

SOCIAL MARXISM
Social Marxism is a step along from social Darwinism (survival of the fittest). Its also known as "Conflict Theory", here's why:
Until Marx and Engles people looked at society from the eyes of the white, powerful, middle classes. They saw the way society worked as harmonious, every social institution and everybody had their roles and society kept going. Their theory is identified as resembling a biological organism - where the institutions of family and work, education etc take the roles of bodily organs and people are represented by cells - everything works right and the body (society) keeps going.

Then Marx comes along. He says society is nothing like harmonious. society is based on conflict. White people oppress black people to stay on top, men oppress women to stay on top, the middle classes opress the workers to stay on top. Rather than a biological organism, social Marxist theory can be explained in terms of a hierarchy. The few control the masses because the few (white, wealthy, men) control the 'means of production'.

Marx said that the heirachys in society would not change, slowly by political or social evolutionary means because those in charge wouldnt want it to and they had the power to maintain it. The only way that the means of production would be controled by the masses would be through fast revolutionary change.

Answer 3

Marxism refers to the philosophy and social theory based on Karl Marx's work on one hand, and to the political practice based on Marxist theory on the other hand (namely, parts of the First International during Marx's time, communist parties and later states).

Answer 4

Marxism refers to the philosophy and social theory based on Karl Marx's work on one hand, and to the political practice based on Marxist theory on the other hand (namely, parts of the First International during Marx's time, communist parties and later states). Marx, a 19th century German, Jewish born atheist, socialist philosopher, economist, journalist, and revolutionary, often in collaboration with Friedrich Engels, developed a critique of society which he claimed was both scientific and revolutionary. This critique achieved its most systematic (albeit unfinished) expression in his most famous work, Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, more commonly known as Das Kapital (1867).

Followers of Marx and Engels have drawn on this work to propose a grand, cohesive theoretical outlook dubbed Marxism. Nevertheless, there have been numerous debates among Marxists over how to interpret Marx's writings and how to apply his concepts to current events and conditions. The legacy of Marx's thought is bitterly contested between numerous tendencies who claim to be Marx's most accurate interpreters. There have been many academic theorists, social movements, political parties and governments who have claimed to be founded on Marxist principles. Indeed academic theorising on Marxism is so widespread that there are a number of different schools of Marxism in addition to the classical Marxism of Marx and Engels. Similarly the use of Marxist theory in politics, including the social democratic movements in 20th century Europe, the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc countries, Mao and other revolutionaries in agrarian developing countries have added new ideas to Marx and otherwise transmuted Marxism so much that it is difficult to specify its core.

Answer 5

ever heard the phrase "share the wealth". Pretty much the idea behind Marxism.

The only reason Marxism doesn't work is because of the selfishness and self-centered nature of mankind. Put simply people are greedy and don't want to share. Pretty much the reason for the faluire of communism.

Brilliant ideas but humanity is to twisted to make them work.

Answer 6

It is a branch of communism, to do with Karl Marx, he wrote the communist manifesto, for more information if you go to Wikipedia there is a big page on it.

Very intersesting stuff! Warning though it may change your outlook on life if you read it all in one sitting!

Answer 7

The theory of "socialism" as expounded by Karl Marx,it looks great on paper,but it just doesn't work, due to everybody wanting more than anybody else

Answer 8

MARXISM IS A BUNCH OF TOTAL CRAP THAT NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER WORKED ANY WHERE ON THE WHOLE PLANET IT JUST GAVE A SMALL GROUP OF FUCKERS THE CHANCE TO CONTROLL THE MASSES

Answer 9

It,s outdated now ,so nobody is interested in such views, it,s dying along with communisim.