Marxism Flashcards
What is Marxism?
A reaction to liberal ideas from thinkers like Adam Smith who supported free market principles. Believed in the invisible hand of demand and supply principles to create products and their prices naturally.
How do Marxists view the state?
Humans are exploited as the products are sold cheaper than the cost of labour. Marxism in IT challenged this exploitation- relevant as there had been constant imbalances of economic power throughout time like slavery and the feudal system. State uses economic power to exploit others- the state is a vehicle for the economically wealthy and powerful to further exploit power.
What examples are there of Marxism in IR today?
-Economic exploitation by economic elites can manipulate WC and use domestic/ international political institutions for their own benefits. Marxists would critique organisations like the International Monetary Fund for promoting neoliberal policies such as privatisation and non-government interference policies. The World Trade Organisation is also problematic due to reducing tariffs (making trade easier) and failing to protect human rights
Why do Marxists see Multinational corporations as problematic?
MNCs produce their goods in countries with a lack of human rights purely because labour is a cheap cost for them. Cheap production allows greater profit margins which makes the high level jobs even more wealthy whilst they monetise on the WC lack of human rights. Workers are afraid to strike due to losing their jobs and falling into greater poverty.
What is Marxism view on colonialism?
Notions of private property are further pushed onto society, with the colonised of course becoming the proletariat in their own country. Many liberated countries fought against colonialism and adopted socialism (e.g. African states in the 1960s)
Why do Marxists believe capitalism is imperialism?
Capitalism was spreading further into the non capitalist world and thus was changing attitudes. Capitalism has a monopolistic dynamic present in today’s world, Great European powers and US, the most richest countries in the world, gave forced other countries into capitalism as well through trade. If poor countries do not wish to trade or wish to follow capitalist policies, they risk accumulating money and stunting development in their country.
What is a Marxists dream?
Class consciousness would activate internationally and the WC would all revolt to abolish capitalism. End of the state as we know it as everything would become one internationalised system supporting total equality.
