Developed in the 19th century by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was a theory called Marxism. In dictionary terms one can say that Marxism is “a system of economic, social, and political philosophy based on ideas that view social change in terms of economic factors.” (Business Dictionary)
But what is Marxism? Let’s look at it this way that if a theory ignores the economic realities of human culture then it is misinterpreting it. For Karl Marx; Historical Materialism was the driving force in society which was a notion involving the distribution of resources, production, material gains and such matters. Therefore, for Marxism attaining and maintaining economic power is what fuels all political and social motives of people. It states that economics is the base underneath the structure of social, political and technological activities. Marxists always refer to economic class and socioeconomic class when talking about the class structure because to then economic power always comprises of social and political power.
Marxism divided society into two parts the bourgeoisie and the proletariats. The bourgeoisie were those who controlled the worlds natural, economic and natural resources and depend on the proletariat for survival. Whereas the proletariats form the majority of the world’s population, living in substandard conditions, while performing all the manual labor that pay for the luxury enjoyed by the rich. But unfortunately they are also the last to recognize this class