Marxism – Class Struggle, Revolution & Communist Society
UPSC PSIR | Political Ideologies | Core High-Weightage Topic
1️⃣ INTRODUCTION
Marxism is both a theory of society and a revolutionary political ideology. Developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
Core Focus: Abolition of capitalism and establishment of a classless society.
2️⃣ CORE PRINCIPLES OF MARXISM
- Historical Materialism
- Class Struggle
- Surplus Value
- Alienation
- Revolution
- Classless Society
3️⃣ HISTORICAL MATERIALISM
Economic structure determines political and social institutions.
Mode of production shapes history.
- Primitive communism
- Slavery
- Feudalism
- Capitalism
- Socialism
- Communism
4️⃣ CLASS STRUGGLE
History moves through conflict between classes.
- Bourgeoisie (capitalists)
- Proletariat (workers)
Capitalism creates its own grave-diggers.
5️⃣ THEORY OF EXPLOITATION
Workers produce more value than wages they receive.
Surplus value = profit of capitalist.
This is structural exploitation.
6️⃣ ALIENATION
Workers are alienated from:- Product
- Production process
- Species-being
- Other workers
7️⃣ REVOLUTION
Capitalism contains internal contradictions:
- Economic crises
- Concentration of wealth
- Proletarian misery
Revolution inevitable.
8️⃣ DICTATORSHIP OF PROLETARIAT
Transitional phase after revolution.
State used to suppress bourgeoisie.
Eventually → State withers away.
9️⃣ FINAL STAGE – COMMUNISM
- No classes
- No private property
- No state
- Common ownership
"From each according to ability, to each according to need."
🔟 MARXISM vs SOCIALISM
- Socialism can be reformist.
- Marxism is revolutionary.
1️⃣1️⃣ CRITICISMS
- Economic determinism
- Failure of Soviet model
- Suppression of political freedom
- Overemphasis on class
MAINS QUESTIONS
- Discuss Marxism as a political ideology.
- Is revolution inevitable in capitalism?
- Critically evaluate Marxist theory of exploitation.
- Difference between socialism and Marxism.
QUICK REVISION MAP
- Historical Materialism
- Class Struggle
- Surplus Value
- Alienation
- Revolution
- Communism
“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”
Shaktimatha Learning – PSIR Ideology Series
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