Marxism

[gy_mark]

Hi, Could any please explain who marx is and what his ideas/theorys were in fool-proof terms?

[xnj]

This short essay is a good place to start:

The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism (http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1913/mar/x01.htm) by Lenin

[Hegemonicretribution]

not a bad start (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?showtopic=26804)

Just click for very straightfoward basics

[Holocaustpulp]

Karl Marx was actually a 1800s philosopher who, as a young man, was a Hegelist (i.e., he followed the teachings of the early 19th century philosopher Hegel), but come around the 1840s he began to drift from Hegelism and disprove. Nonetheless, this philosophical base lead to Marx's formulation of the socioeconomic science (for communism is a self-proclaimed science as according to scientific theories such as dialectical materialism) communism, the system by which the people would be in control of a classless and equal society. Before this, nonetheless, socialistic events had occurred, yet it was Marx teamed with Engels who made the solid base for its operation, its science, its purpose, and its practicality.

The science of communism relies on the fact that history is presented in a form of contradictions, and that this indeed is inherent of nature. The way by which Marx proposes worker's power is by way of a proletarian revolution, where the organized worker's would overthrow the bourgeois and establish the "dictatorship of the proletariat," i.e., defend themselves against the bourgeois oppressors who have always indicated years of suffering (and who would want their kleptocracy back) while maintaing a worker's democracy throughout the land. Upon this point in time, the state would begin to wither away (as it would no longer technically be a state, as a state is signified by government superiority, exploitation, and imposition) and the people would develop into a self-sufficient society.

Of course, I feel terrible generalizing Marx's ideals like this. A good starter site is www.marxists.org . Daily news interpreted by Marxists is seen at www.marxist.com , as well as archives. Of course, I recommend you read Marx's works as well as Lenin's and Trotsky's, the latter two modifying and maintaining Marxist principles (specifically read "State and Revolution" to start off). The "Communist Manifesto" by Marx and Engels explains a communist's position, but not the methods by which communists want to implement the science.

- Holocaustpulp

[gy_mark]

I havent had time to view those sites yet but i will post back as soon as i have.


Holocaustpulp: Thanks alot, just reading that i feel i have a greater understanding and a base to start my learning. i have also realised i am not a "proper" communist because i know, to say the least, fuck all about Karl Marx, Lenin or Trotsky but do bear in mind that as a minor (15 years of age) i am doing fairly well, thanks.

[black]

You may also be interested in Anarchist criticisms of Marxism; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism_and_Marxism

Being just a start ofcourse.