Philosophy

Philosophy Study Guide

history unfolds according to certain laws following a logic that Hegel described as dialectical. Marx believed that we can see dialectical movement of history that is each historical state of events creates or leads to, its opposite which in turn, results in a synthesis which that unites and transcends the two conflicting forces. Marx was convinced that the economic structure (in terms of the means of production of a society) is the dominant force that shapes the community’s social relationships, political processes, and spiritual values. Marx’s most famous writings include Manifesto of the Communist Party , which he coauthored with Friedrich Engels. Marx and Engels begin their manifesto, a word that means a proclamation or declaration of principles, by first describing the social context. History is best understood, they argue, as a sequence of class struggles between the oppressors and the oppressed, a dynamic process that in all cases results either in a revolutionary reconstitution of society or the economic ruin of all parties. In the judgment of the of a feudal society to one based on capitalism, free competition, and free trade is just one more step in the necessary evolution of human history, having profound repercussions. Thus, capitalism, free trade, and free competition remade the world in a very short span of time, creating a new society and culture, controlled economically and politically by the human instruments of capitalism. Marx and Engels believed that free trade, free competition, and limitless greed of the capitalist create the epidemic of over production and not enough buyers for the products. The capitalistic failure to control the growth of its modes of production has the unintended effect of creating a new class of citizens who will ultimately spell capitalism’s downfall. The new class of citizen’s is known as proletariat, which is defined as a class of people lacking resources and the means of production sell their labor. Marx and Engels believed that in difficult economic times, workers often direct their anger toward imported products that threaten their economic well-being. It is typically blue collar workers who are most vocal in their support of trade and barriers to protect their livelihood. Marx and Engels vision of the future was more accurate with their vision of the next developmental stage which involves several of the following factors: ● The proletariat increase in number, become concentrated in greater masses, and grow in strength. ● The work of the proletariat becomes more mindless, their wages lower, and their economic stability less secure. ● Sensing their strength, the proletariats organize into unions. ● Improved communication and transportation systems enable the proletariat to organize themselves in ever-widening circles of membership. Rather than eroding, the economic and social status of the proletariat has often risen, powered by the strength of their unions and democratic political systems within which they exist. In addition, liberal economies have also intervened to improve the lives of the workers and more disadvantaged members of society through the creation of public education, economic opportunities, avenues of social advancement, the protection of workers through government legislation, and the creation of welfare safety nets to ensure a minimum standard of living and healthcare. Marxism, as articulated by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a social economic, and political system based on socialist ideal of “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” If liberalism privileges the rights and freedoms of the individual, socialism (and communism) emphasizes the duty of a society to maintain as a preeminent value what is best for all of its citizens.

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