Marxism Flashcards
Karl Marx (1)
German political scientist/theorist, communist and revolutionary, whose ideas are credited as providing the foundation for modern communism. Wrote the Communist Manifesto (1848): “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”
Karl Marx (2)
- Argues that capitalism, like previous socioeconomic systems, will inevitably lead to its destruction.
- Just as capitalism replaced feudalism, socialism would replace capitalism and lead to a stateless, classless society called pure communism.
Karl Marx (3)
- Socialism would emerge after a transitional period called the “dictatorship of the proletariat”, “workers’ state” or “workers’ democracy”
- A systemic understanding of socioeconomic change is imperative.
- The structural contradictions within capitalism necessitate its end, giving way to communism.
Immanuel Wallerstein
World-System Theory - “The Modern World System”
World-Systems Theory
Peripheral vs. Semi-peripheral societies. The spread of capitalism will not bring industrial development to poorer regions. (World-empire and world-economy)
Marxism (1)
Capitalism is a system of unchecked exploitation in which the bourgeoisie controlled the labor-power of members of the proletariat and profited from their work.
Marxism (2)
Religion is the opiate of the masses. Individuals must satisfy their most basic physical or material needs before anything else. Surrender control of its labor power to those that own the instruments of production.
Marxism (3)
Capitalist societies used language of freedom and equality to justify social relations, while systematically denying real freedom and equality to the power classes.
Marxism (4)
Human freedom could only be achieved through universal solidarity and cooperation to remake world society as a whole.
Marxism (5)
Largely ignores geopolitics, nationalism, and war…capitalist global and class conflict would determine the fate of the modern world.
Marxism (6)
Lenis argues that war was the product of a desperate need for new outlets for the surplus capital accumulated by dominant capitalist states.
Marxism (7)
Dependency Theory argues that exploitative alliances between the dominant class interests in core and peripheral societies prevented the latter from industrializing
Marxism (8)
Power in the sphere of production is the key to power over society as a whole…Communism neglects diplomacy, balance of power, and international law
Marxism (9)
Argues that the effects of global capitalism are to ensure that the effects of global capitalism are to ensure that the powerful and wealthy continue to prosper at the expense of the powerless and the poor.
Marxism (10)
Argues that the relative prosperity of the few is dependent on the destitution of the many.
Capitalism
- Everything involved in production (e.g. raw materials, machines, labor) has an exchange value.
- Production materials (factories, raw materials) are owned by the capitalist.
- Workers are “free” but must sell their labor to survive with profits going to the capitalists.
Means of Production
Elements combined in the production process. Include tools and technology.
Relations of production
Organize and link the means of production. involve technical, institutional relationships and broader structures.
Materialist Conception of History
Economic development is effectively the motor of history. Class conflict is always present in society.
Raul Prebisch
Countries in the periphery were suffering as a result of “the declining terms of trade” (I.e. the price of manufactured goods increased more rapidly than that of raw materials”.
Benefits of Neo-Liberal Policies (Washington Consensus) to developed world
- Free trade benefits the efficient hegemon.
- Raw materials are cheaper for hegemon b/c third world countries cannot compete within free trade system for manufactured goods.
- Privatization of industries by third world govts allows hegemons to purchase them
