Marxism: Key Ideas
Materialism
It sees economic factors as primary, examining the whole of human history and arguing that progress is created by economic conflict (e.g. abolition of slavery linked to development of the steam engine)
Division of Labour
Marx thinks that this is a powerful negative influence on human life
Dialectal Materialism
Label that Engels applied to Marx's theory of progress through economic conflict
Private Property
Private property is a legal designation for the ownership of property by non-governmental legal entities. Private property is distinguishable from public property, which is owned by a state entity; and from collective (or cooperative) property, which is owned by a group of non-governmental entities.
Class
The capitalist stage of production consists of two main classes: the bourgeoisie, the capitalists who own the means of production, and the much larger proletariat (or 'working class') who must sell their own labour power
Bourgeoisie
The capitalists who own the means of production
Proleteriat
The working class who must sell their own labour power
Exploitation
The idea that some people are taken advantage of for the gain of those who have power over them
Alienation
Karl Marx's theory of alienation describes the estrangement (Ger. Entfremdung) of people from aspects of their Gattungswesen ("species-essence") as a consequence of living in a society of stratified social classes.
Surplus Value
Surplus value is a central concept in Karl Marx's critique of political economy. "Surplus value" is a translation of the German word "Mehrwert", which simply means value added (sales revenue less the cost of materials used up).
Class Conflict
Class conflict, is tension or antagonism in society. According to Marxism, there are two main classes of people: The bourgeoisie controls the capital and means of production, and the proletariat provide the labour.
Hegemony
The predominance of one social class over others (e.g. bourgeois hegemony in capitalism)
A Class for Itself
The bourgeois class who don't care about anyone not in it and use their power for their own gain at the expense of others
Scientific Socialism
The belief that historical forces (such as economic determinism and the class struggle) will be ended by violent means and the achievement of socialist goals
Determensim
The theory suggesting that economic forces determine, shape, and define all political, social, cultural, intellectual, and technological aspects of a civilization
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