Political Ideologies: Marxism, Anarchism, and Socialism
Marxism: Marxism was created by Karl Marx (1818-1883) and his friend Friedrich Engels. In 1848, they published the Communist Manifesto, a summary of its social and political doctrine. Marxism attempted to analyze the contradictions that would destroy capitalism. For Marxists, class struggle was the engine of social change in history, and social relations from production determined the socioeconomic structure of each stage of evolution, these stages being called modes of production. In his time, the capitalist mode of production was developing, a stage characterized by class struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Surplus value is the difference between what the worker receives for maintenance and the value of what they produce.
Anarchism: The basic working theory was revolutionary anarchism. The word anarchy means “without authority.” Its main creator was Mihail Bakunin (1814-1876), who defended spontaneous rebellion against capitalist society and the state.
The First International: The origin was the meeting in London between British and French labor leaders on the occasion of the visit of the former to the Universal Exhibition in London (1862). The First International was founded at the meeting of September 28, 1864, in London. In the AIT, exiles had an influential role. The Committee instructed the drafting of the inaugural manifesto and draft statutes of the new organization. The organization comprised unionists and socialists of various persuasions. Facing the most authoritative industry, which sought to strengthen the regional council based in London, a movement soon arose which advocated the autonomy of local and national organizations that were more sympathetic to Bakunin’s anti-authoritarianism. The growing strength of national labor organizations weakened the position of Marx, who supported the international union. Thus, the labor movement was abandoning the path of internationalism and gave way to the birth of national workers’ parties.
Utopian Socialism: The early socialists denounced the misery and hardship of the proletariat. They were called “utopian” by Marx because he said that these thinkers failed because they did not take into account the social struggle between employers and workers. The thought of utopian socialism was based on:
- Pursuing an ideal and perfect society in which humans live in peace.
- The social project would be conducted peacefully.
- Solidarity prevailed, philanthropy, and brotherly love.
- Defending developments of modern industry.
Utopian socialism had its peak during the first half of the nineteenth century. Among its main ideologues were: 1 – The Count of Saint-Simon (1760-1837). For him, the entire society was based on industry. The whole nation should be a great workshop. Owners and workers must be led by the most able. The wise and intelligent form a technocracy that claimed the lives of the poor. 2 – Charles Fourier (1772-1825) hated the capitalist industrial enterprise, the cause, according to him, of exploitation, poverty, and monotony of the working class labor. So he envisioned phalansteries, centers of agricultural and industrial activity with their own administration and self-3 – Robert Owen (1771-1858) took measures to improve the living conditions of his workers, such as shorter hours, better wages, and education for children, etc.