Blog #25
During the first quarter of the 19th century was the beginning of the modern social thought. The people living during this period were called Utopian Socialist, a term Karl Marx came up with to describe the modern socialist. Marxism and Leninism are two other branches of Utopian Socialism. Karl Marx created Marxism which is the political philosophy and economic based upon a “materialist” explanation of history. Leninism was created by Vladimir Llyich Lenin. His theories and practices were based on dictatorship of the proletariat. Marxism would be the best theory to describe the society they lived in during the 19th century up until today.
Marxism is ideas that use more of scientific approach to describe socialist thought. During the 19th century more technology and science was being used to get a clearer view of the world. Marx’s views were appropriate during this time. There are three primary aspects of Marxism: The dialectical and materialist concept of history, the critique of capitalism, and advocacy of proletarian revolution. Also Marx’s theories are known for the materialist interpretation of Utopianism. Then and now we live in a materialistic society. Based on how much money, property, and education a person has determines how much power he or she may have. Karl Marx was known to be one of the most powerful critics of the new capitalist world order. Marx’s and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto which analyze history in terms of class struggle.
Leninism focuses more on placing politics over economics. Lenin believed that capitalism can be over thrown only by revolution. The opposite of what Marx’s believed. Marx’s thought capitalism and industrialization could bring an end to poverty with the new science, machines, and factories. During the Industrial Revolution food surplus allowed the population to growth for workers and profits to invest in industry. On the other hand, Leninist saw it as a continuation of imperialism, in developed-country capitalist exploit the working class of under-developed and developed countries with low wages, long workdays, and intensive working conditions. Mass production has ended poverty in many countries; Marxism has been effective in many ways. Also if to much focus is put on politics the economy starts to crumble and revolts take place. The working class that Marx’s describe helps give the economy more structure and help keep the economy stabilized. For example: The English Civil War between the parliament and King Charles I. The king focuses more on political power then the economy and his people revolted against him.
Compared to Utopian Socialism, Marxism is the best way to describe the society then and now. Utopian socialism leaves out many concerns political, social, and economic perspectives. To understand the society we live in a general understanding or framework is needed. By putting people into social class we can get an idea about certain groups of people. Marx’s explains social classes and class struggle the Communist Manifesto. For example: In Robert B. Marks book The Origin of the Modern World he puts humans in social classes to have some type of framework.
Even though there are a lot of critics that disagree with Karl Marx idea he was one of the first people to test the modern socialist. Marx’s brought up many key points that help shape the society we live in today. Since the world from the first quarter of the 19th century and on is more industrialized many of his capitalist theories helped benefit our future. A poem that represents this would be Mother to Son by Langston Hughes.
