Marxism is a political and economic ideology that was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century. It is based on the theories of historical materialism, which posits that society is fundamentally shaped by the economic system, and class struggle, which argues that conflict between social classes is the driving force of history.
Marxism asserts that capitalism, the economic system in which private individuals or businesses own capital goods, is inherently exploitative. It argues that the capitalist class, or bourgeoisie, exploits the working class, or proletariat, by appropriating the surplus value produced by the workers. This exploitation, according to Marxists, leads to class struggle and will eventually result in the overthrow of capitalism and its replacement with socialism, a system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the workers.
Marxism also posits that under socialism, the state would wither away and be replaced by a classless, stateless society known as communism. In this society, according to Marx and Engels, the principle of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" would prevail.
The history of Marxism is marked by its influence on revolutionary movements worldwide. After the publication of Marx and Engels' "The Communist Manifesto" in 1848, their ideas spread rapidly among the working classes in Europe. In the 20th century, Marxism became the ideological basis for the socialist revolutions in Russia, China, Cuba, and other countries. These revolutions led to the establishment of socialist states that claimed to be guided by Marxist principles.
However, the interpretation and implementation of Marxism have varied widely. In the Soviet Union, for example, Marxism-Leninism, a version of Marxism adapted by Vladimir Lenin, became the official state ideology. It emphasized the role of a vanguard party and a transitional socialist state. In China, Mao Zedong developed Maoism, which incorporated aspects of agrarianism and guerrilla warfare.
Despite the collapse of many Marxist-Leninist states in the late 20th century, Marxism continues to influence political thought and movements. It has also been developed and critiqued in various academic disciplines, including sociology, economics, and history.
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