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' Despite the demise of the Soviet bloc, Marxism is still a useful theory
for understanding politics in contemporary societies '. Discuss.
Word count: 987
Abstract
Marxism as a theory was born in the end of 19th century. Karl Marx -
father of Marxism summarized it with one simple sentence 'from each
according to his ability, to each according to his need'.In his opinion,
society should be divided into two ruling ( capitalist ) and working
(proletariat) classes and economic development should be based on
materialism since economy, in his view, influences other social
expressions. Marxism theory not only gave a big inspiration to different
fields of science such as politic,literature or archeology but also was a start
for new ideologies such as communism to emerge. Although Marxism
collapsed together with USSR, its' heritage can be found nowadays. This
essay will show that Marxism is not irrelevant in todays societies by
exploring its' impact and giving examples of the Marxism traces in
nowadays USA.
Introduction
According to Leon Trotsky, Russian Marxist and the head of the Red
Army, the end of communism was obvious and inevitable. He foresaw its
collapse already in 1930 by stating that 'a nationalized planned economy
needs democracy as the human body requires oxygen'. And, indeed, he
was right. After its demise, Marx theories experienced failure. It was
believed that it was time for new chapter of world history to be turned. As
Francis Fukuyama wrote in his book The End of History (1992) - ' the
passing of Marxism-Leninism first from China and then from the Soviet
Union will mean its death as a living ideology of world historical
significance'. However, it is not possible for all important past events to be
vanished from the memory of world history, including Marxism. There
are evidences that Marxists ideas and works have an influence on todayssocieties.
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Since Marxism was concentrated on economy and composition of the
class, it helps better to understand why nowadays prosperous people
continue to hold a great part of economic power. Contemporary Marxists
believe, that values and intensions to get as much benefit as it is possible- of todays owners remained the same as in Marxism era. Moreover, they
claim that although it was tried to decrease the power of capitalist class by
nationalisation, private property of capitalist has not been affected or they
did get large compensations. They even believe that private sector is going
to be sponsored by nationalized sector since the later had employed the
possessors of private property. Furthermore, todays Marxists do not see a
significant changes in capitalist class since wealth was realloctaed between
rich families not affecting poor people which has not reduced the power of
the rich. According to Ralph Miliband, the inequality between rich and
poor is going to continue, because there are no difficulties for '
Bourgeoisie' to transfer their economic power to their next generation
( children). He also claims, that State institutions, such as local and central
government, the police, military and others are commanded by Elites,
which put priorities first to their interests and then to ordinary people.
Looking from the perspective of education, children of the elite have more
opportunities to attend prestigious universities and schools and remain in
the upper class, while children from the working class have to fight to get
there. So it is obvious that Marxism theory of classes structure is relevant
in todays society and that power of economy is still divided among classes.
Marxism has also an influence on todays United States society. First it had
an effect on principal revoliution of women deliverance in America in 19th
century, which encouraged women to stand up and fight against the
discrimination of men. As Marxism ideology claims, staying at home and
looking after children is not essential women duty. With such an inspiring
speech, marxists wanted to create a society without classes, where all
working class people would be equal and equality nowadays is the thing
women movements are fighting for. The best quote, reflecting the aim of
this idea belongs to Nikolai Lenin - ' The success of a revolution depends
upon the degree of participation by woman '. Secondly, according to
Father John A. Hardson, Marxism has affected the religious side in USA,
starting with education. As V. Lenin said ' Marxism is materialism' and ' as
such, it is as relentlessly hostile to religion as the materialism of the
encyclopaedists of the eighteenth century or the materialism of Feuerbach'.Hardson believes, that such philosophy was adapted in USA since in 1976
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a National Education Association was inspired by writer William Foster,
Marxist politician, who stated that academic system should be '
revolutionized, cleansed of religious, patriotic and other features of the
bourgeois ideology The students will be taught on the basis of Marxian
dialectical materialism, internationalism, and general ethics of the newSocialist society'. This ideology resulted in closure of Catholic schools and
parents no longer could educate their children at home. Those who did not
followed this commandment felt pressure from State and Church as well.
Father Hardson explains that that is why nowadays religion is removed
from schools by American law and Catholic schools do not get any support
from state. As John Dewey, philosopher and academic reformer, concludes
Church in USA is governable to State.
The proof that Marx theories are not forgotten can be supported by some
evident facts. All over the world the process of nationalisation is still
running. In 2011, venesuelan president Hugo Chavez gave an
announcment about the nationalization of gold industry in order to protect
it against dormant economic crisis and to increase the government position
over its production. And it is not the first time gold mines are being
nationalized in Venesuela the same pattern occurred in 1965 and again in
1977. Three years earlier, in 2008, the same Chavez started negotiations
with Spanish banking multinational Grupo Santander to nationalize Banco
of Venezuela. He explained that by claiming that Bolivars in the bank
belong to 'the Venezuelan people and also the Venezuelan government'. In
2010, there was a debate in South Africa whether to nationalize the mines.
Julius Malema was for its nationalization and he tried to strenghten his
position by refering to 1955 Freedom Charter which states that ' The
wealth of the country shall be shared among all who live in it!'.
Conclusion
Athough Marxism era has ended, Marx ideas are still in action. It educates
and gives inspiration to new generations and class fighters all over the
world and helps to understand certain laws which are based on this theory.
Moreover, influence of big corporations and bourgeoisie is still growing,
which reminds about ruling capitalists class in Marxism period. Besides,
governments aspiration to gain more and more power by nationalization
can also refer to Marx theory about power in the hands of ruling class. So,
it is obvious that Marxism as a theory is not irrelevant in todays world.
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References
Father John A. Hardson, S.J. Archives, Communism, 'The Influence of
Marxism in the United States Today' ;
Francis Fukuyama 'The End of History' ;
Alan Woods, Ted Grant 'The Relevance of Marxism Today' ;
Phil Mitchinson 'The Living Ideas of Karl Marx' ;
Gary Browning, Abigail Halcli, Frank Webster'Understanding
Contemporary Society. Theories of the Present' ;
http://polsci101.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/karl-marx-today/ ;
http://www.marxist.com/science-old/alienationandthefuture.html#Marx
and Alienation ;
http://www.earlhamsociologypages.co.uk/Marxism%20and
%20Contemporary%20Society.html ;
http://www.marxist.com/nationalisation-banco-de-venezuela.htm
ANC YL Discussion DocumentFebruary 2010
TOWARDS THE TRANSFER OF MINERAL WEALTH TO THE
OWNERSHIP OF THE PEOPLE AS A WHOLE: a perspective on
nationalisation of Mines.
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