International Relations

[Art Vandelay]

I have to write a essay for my uni class and I got a topic that I think many here can help me out with and perhaps answer more articulately than I can. My question that I have to answer in my essay is: is marxism relevant for contemporary international relations.

I think one of my main points will have to be discussing the worsening capitalist crisis and explain that as the situation gets worse and more and more proletarians are created that capitalism will begin to show itself as an unsustainable system.

However I still need two, if not more, major reasons which will be able to convince my teacher and unfortunately every political science teacher I have met is a capitalist, so it will not be an easy task for me. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[leftace53]

capitalist exploitation of "third world" labour by "first world" bourgeoisie? perhaps as support for how more and more proles are created


I've only ever had social democrats as poli sci teachers/profs :confused:

[Art Vandelay]

Well to argue that more and more proletarians are created I was going to find a quote from Marx or Engels explaining that it is a natural process for smaller businesses companies eventually end up being consumed and bought up by larger corporations and conglomerates. I am fairly sure that there is a good one in the manifesto about how capitalism above all else creates its own gravediggers. I definitely have lots of reading to do and not much time to do it, I always leave my essays way to late.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

Google 'neo-colonial dependence theory'.

[Art Vandelay]

The dependence theory has for sure set me on the right track so thanks for that. I was also wondering if there are any good essays that break down marxist ir in an simplistic manner or in laymens terms. I have been having a hard time comprehending anything I come across on the subject.