Karl Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895)

Question 1

Human Nature

Answer 1

Marx and Engels believed that human nature is shaped by historical and material conditions, rather than being fixed or inherent. They rejected the notion of a universal human nature and argued that human behaviour and consciousness are products of the social and economic structures in which people live. For Marx and Engels, individuals are fundamentally social beings whose identities and actions are influenced by the material conditions of their existence.

Question 2

Society

Answer 2

Marx and Engels viewed society as divided into social classes based on the ownership and control of the means of production. They identified two primary classes in capitalist society: the bourgeoisie (owners of capital) and the proletariat (workers who sell their labour for wages). They saw society as characterised by class struggle, with the ruling class (bourgeoisie) exploiting the labour of the working class (proletariat) for their own economic gain.

Question 3

The State

Answer 3

Marx and Engels conceptualised the state as an instrument of class rule, serving the interests of the ruling class. They argued that the state arose to maintain the dominance of the ruling class by enforcing its laws and protecting its property rights. According to Marx and Engels, the state represents the interests of the bourgeoisie and functions to perpetuate the existing social order. They famously described the state as “the executive committee of the bourgeoisie.” The bourgeois state must be destroyed by revolution and replaced by a new socialist state: the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Question 4

The Economy

Answer 4

Central to Marx and Engels’ analysis is their critique of capitalism and their vision of a socialist society. They argued that capitalism is characterised by inherent contradictions, including the exploitation of labour, economic inequality, and cyclical crises of overproduction. Marx and Engels predicted that capitalism would eventually collapse under the weight of these contradictions, leading to a revolutionary transformation of society. In a socialist society, they envisioned the collective ownership of the means of production and the abolition of class distinctions, resulting in a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources.

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

Overall, Marx and Engels offered a comprehensive critique of capitalism and articulated a vision of social change based on the principles of socialism and communism. Their analysis of human nature, society, the state, and the economy continues to influence political and social thought to this day.