Marxist Theory

Marxism is an economic and social system, theorised by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, that is essentially the antithesis of Capitalism, the system used in much of the Western world. In capitalism the proletariat, or working class, only own their ability to work which allows the bourgeoise (upper class) to get richer whilst the poor get poorer. In contrast, Marx's system is based on Socialism with public ownership of production, distribution and exchange. The theory is that everyone would be at an equal level and class difference would be eradicated. Marx also suggested that capitalism and bourgeoise oppression would eventually lead to the working class revolting and socialist, classless society being instilled. Russian leaders Vladimir Lenin and Josef Stalin would later take Marx's ideas and modify them, for their own benefit, to create what we know as modern communism.