Marxist Theory: Critique of Hegel, Capitalism, and Communism

Posted on Dec 8, 2024 in Social sciences

Marxist Theory: A Comprehensive Analysis

1. Critique of Hegel

Marxist theory encompasses two intertwined fields: philosophy and economics. Philosophically, it is both a continuation and a critique of Hegel’s theory.

1) Hegel’s Philosophy of History: Hegel presented a conception of history where the state represents the dialectics of history, moving towards freedom. The engine of this movement is the juxtaposition of ideas. Hegel believed that history had reached its final stage with the cultural spirit of his time, which progressed through the opposition of ideas. Marx interpreted this in economic and materialistic terms, arguing that it is not ideas but economic forces, specifically the opposition between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, that drive history. This concept is known as historical materialism and dialectical materialism, where historical progress arises from the opposition of economic forces, not ideas.

2) “Everything Real is Rational”: Hegel stated that “everything real is rational,” believing that history had culminated with the Enlightenment. Marx, however, argued that history was far from complete.

2. Critique of Capitalism

Marx divides social reality into two levels:

1) Infrastructure: This refers to economic relations and is considered the most important level. To change the social system, one must change the economy, as it forms the base of society.

2) Superstructure: This is the set of ideas in a society. The problem is that it serves as an ideological veil, legitimizing and protecting the economy. To dismantle capitalism, one must first break this ideological veil and expose the unfairness of economic relations. Therefore, while changing economic relations is crucial, criticizing the superstructure is equally important.

  • Critique of Religion: Within the superstructure, religion plays a special role by hiding and justifying economic relations in favor of capitalist values. For example, Christianity emphasizes humility, sacrifice, and work, which align with capitalist principles. Marxist atheism aims to deny God and expose this relationship.
  • Critique of Capitalist Society: Marx studied and critiqued classical economics and capitalism, developing his own Marxist economic theory.
  • Private Property: The means of production are concentrated in the hands of a few.
  • Surplus Value: This is the net profit generated by a product after subtracting production costs. Private property and surplus value lead to alienation.

Alienation of Workers

Alienation refers to the loss of workers’ human characteristics within the capitalist system. Workers are not fulfilled as individuals but are instead “alienated” from their human capacities. As a materialist philosopher, Marx believed that humans realize themselves through work. Capitalism, however, turns work into an alienating activity, making the system inherently unfair. The worker is lost and ceases to be a person. Marx identified three types of alienation:

  1. Alienation from the Activity of Work: Work becomes alienating. Individuals do not find fulfillment in their work but only in their private lives (“working like an animal”).
  2. Alienation from the Object: Due to the division of labor and private property, workers lose sight of the object as a whole and do not identify with what they produce. The object becomes strange and even hostile, as it strengthens the bourgeoisie.
  3. Alienation from Social Role: Individuals are regarded in society for their work, becoming part of a class rather than being seen as individuals. A person is not seen as a person who works but as a worker.

3. Historical Materialism

Marx believed that history follows a consistent pattern: the history of production. He identified four historical periods:

  1. Asiatic (Egypt and Mesopotamia)
  2. Ancient (Greece and Rome, based on slavery)
  3. Feudal (Middle Ages, serfs bound to the land)
  4. Bourgeois (Capitalism, bourgeoisie, and proletariat)

There is always an essential antagonism between productive forces and relations, creating an equilibrium. This class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie is the motor of history. Historical progress is based on these laws:

  1. Class Struggle as the Motor of History
  2. Equilibrium: Each historical moment is determined by the relationship between infrastructure and superstructure.
  3. End: The end of history is the disappearance of class struggle, leading to communism.

4. Communism

How to Achieve Communism

Marxist historical law outlines the following steps:

  1. Class Consciousness: The proletariat must realize its status as the ruling class and the agent of historical progress. Communist parties are responsible for raising this awareness, which is linked to atheism and the removal of the ideological veil.
  2. Armed Revolution: Workers must seize power through armed revolution, as there is no other way.
  3. Dictatorship of the Proletariat: Workers take control of all instruments of power (finance, army, etc.). Bourgeois democracy is abolished, and only the Communist Party remains. This is not a dictatorship in the traditional sense, as, in theory, the people are in command.

Communist Society

In a communist society, a dictatorship is no longer necessary because the “new man” is formed, capable of self-management within small companies. This individual is no longer corrupted by bourgeois values.