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peru_anny
4th May 2006, 08:13
I'm writing an essay for my grade 12 world History class on Karl Marx and the evolution of socialism. Im planning to talk about socialist leaders who have implemented socialist governments throughout time. Im thinking Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Mao Zedong or Fidel Castro. I'm having some trouble with this because I'm not to sure on how the governments they formed were different.

this is the beginning of my essay. I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me with some points or if I'm making any mistakes on what I've already done. Thanks.

Karl Marx and the Evolution of Socialism
Karl Marx and his theories of socialism have been appreciated and followed for many years throughout history, although his socialist theories have been implanted throughout the world and throughout history it is evident that many of these reoccurrences of socialism have veered from the basic theories of Karl Marx.
Karl Marx or the father of socialism was born in Trier, Germany on the 5th of May in 1818. In 1835 he began to study Jurisprudence, which is the theory of philosophy and law. At the same time he surrounded himself with leftist people and he dedicated himself into understand the philosophical system of Hegel, who influenced Marx greatly. His first tries at liberal writing came when he was a journalist for a newspaper called Rhenische Zeitun, but because of the revolutionary period that was occurring the paper became censored many times until it was finally suppressed. In 1844 he moved to Paris, France when he met many revolutionary socialists, and he becomes interest with the writings of Saint Simon, who also had a great influence on Marx. During that same year, he met Frederich Engels, with whom Marx shared the elaboration of his thoughts and in addition to being an important collaborator; he becomes fundamental until the point of which many of the elements of the Marxist system owe their inspiration. In 1845, Marx is kicked out of Paris and he moves to Brussels and in 1847 he writes ‘The Poverty of Philosophy’. In it Marx criticizes the economic and philosophical arguments of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, which are stated in his Philosophy of Poverty. Karl Marx was the author of two major backbones of communism, Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto, he is well known for his legendary hatred of the bourgeois and capitalism. His reasons can all be found in his book, The Communist Manifesto. He believed that the bourgeoisie had too much power sine they control the majority of the economy. He also believed that capitalism is the root of all evil. This was evident when he explained, ““Does religion delude the masses? It is due to capitalism. Prostitution? Due to capitalism, Envy, alienation, war… all due to capitalism. Indeed, every unforeseen social evil has an obvious scapegoat upon which it can be blamed” (Marx, 1888). He blames capitalism as the source of evil. According to Marc capitalism results to a society that is divisible by a class system where classes with more wealth become wealthier while the working class stays the same. In a socialist theory, it tries to establish a classless society to change the way we value things. Instead of valuing the wealth or status of a person, a socialist society values people according to how they contribute to the society.
Karl Marc believed that capitalism could only be overthrown by a revolution. After a revolution took place a dictatorship of the proletariat would be implemented which would replace the bourgeoisie. He also believed that the proletariat was the only class with the determination to carry on with this revolution.

this is what i have so far, basically this would be my first argument the next arguments would have to deal with political leaders who have implemented socialism.

bloody_capitalist_sham
5th May 2006, 22:45
Well, I think it’s pretty good so far :)

I would however, acknowledge that all the states that went communist, never achieved socialism in the sense most Marxists mean it. I don’t think they even claimed to have reached socialism.

One thing to note, in your first argument is that Marx saw all of history so far, except what he called primitive communism, as being class societies not just capitalism. For example feudal and slave societies. The beginning of the communist manifesto describes this very simply.

He also thought that socialism was a transitory stage to the next and final stage of history, communism. As there were no more classes, there would never be a need to change society fundamentally as had happened throughout history.

It is important to note, that when you talk about Lenin Trotsky Mao and Castro, that creating socialism was seen as something that was impossible without first world nations becoming socialist first. Marx said revolutions were most likely in first world countries where the working class was developed; this was not the case in Russia, china or Cuba.

For Lenin, I would talk about his expectations on German revolution for success. Also the nature of the ideas of democratic centralism, as this was key to how the party operated.

For Mao, maybe the Cultural Revolution and the impact of personality cults left over from Stalinism.

Trotsky, well there isn’t much you can really say other than his vehement opposition to Stalin and beauracracy.

Castro, that he was not really a commie but mostly a nationalist who worked with the Soviet Union for security against American imperial ambitions.

There are really good books on this. If you can read a book by David Lane, called the “socialist industrial state". I think that will pretty much tell you all you need to know.

Good luck with that.

Ps. you seemed to have spelled Marx as marc a couple of times :P