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Contradictions Of Marxism Analysis

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Through identifying, defining, and understanding the key concepts of Marxism, the preconditions and contradictions of a capitalist society become more prominent. The contradictions of a capitalist society will be introduced through identifying and defining; radical change by societal transformation exploitation, conflict between different social groups (the bourgeoisie and proletariat), and exploitation. The two contradictions “exploitation” and “conflict between social groups” can be explained complimentary to one another as a result of being closely related. Key concepts such as; historical materialism, means of production, class consciousness, superstructure, and alienation will be referred to in order to aid the further understanding of …show more content…

Marx observed society in any possible way he found that he could and through this, he discovered the laws influencing/causing societal and economic evolution (Bowens, Carroll; 2013; 7). Thus the first contradiction of a capitalist society is introduced. Marxism is a universal perspective and method of observing society in such a way that helps to understand the transition from capitalism, which Marx saw as a system that was destined to end, to a society that is much more structured, making social revolution inevitable and a new system replacing capitalism (Heywood; 2003; 113). The single distinguishing factor of Marxism from any other approach is that the theory of historical materialism is firmly believed in (Heywood; 2003; 113). The first key concept introduced, is historical materialism, and this is a theory of Marxism which believes that, “material or economic conditions ultimately structure law, politics, culture and other aspects of social existence” (Heywood; 2003; 113) and that class struggle/conflicts and revolution are two important factors when attempting to encourage and implement a societal …show more content…

Marx thought “class” to be the collective involved in a relationship that can be related closely to the means of production. Means of production can be identified as the physical material/equipment that is needed for economic production and can be in the form of raw materials, machinery, or even land. The means of production is owned by the bourgeoisie who own most of society’s wealth and buy the labour of the proletariat through wages (Spicer, Draper et al; 41). In the pursuit of profit, it is expected of the bourgeoisie to exploit the proletariat (Marsh; 1996; 53). The relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is an exploitative one, referring to the meaning that the proletariat are producing goods through the means of production for the bourgeoisie, and these goods hold a higher value than what the proletariat are being paid (exploitation) which develops into class conflict/struggles. The wages that the proletariat are paid are used for their survival - as well as the survival of their family- however, even though the proletariat are underpaid for their labour , it is not the main concern for the bourgeoisie as they are seeking to gain as much production out of the proletariat as possible (Marsh; 1996; 54). This is a clear

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