Marxism

The Ultimate Reaction to Capitalism

I Origins of Marxism

Industrial Revolution Invention: Steam Engine

I Origins of Marxism

A. Marxism is a reaction to the “unchecked” capitalism or a free market economy that grew out of the industrial revolution

I. Origins of Marxism• B. Capitalism or a free

market economy is an economic system in which privately owned businesses manufacture goods

• C. The prices, their distribution & other services of these goods are determined by a free market

I. Origins of Marxism

D. It pays particular attention to plight of

workers

E. It also focuses on the role that the government should play in the economy

II Principles of MarxismA. Social Classes 1. Proletariat-working class/labor/the exploited, usually the majority 2. Bourgeois-the business owner/employers/exploiters, usually a small minority of the populationB. Wage Slavery 1. Bourgeois controls all means of production, which results in the abuse (sexual, physical & psychological) of worker 2. Resulting in poverty

II. Principles of MarxismC. Surplus Value 1. human labor must be included in wages & prices 2. Usually the employers does not include labor in calculating wagesD. Worker Alienation 1. Workers become increasingly alienated from the products they produce 2. The employers make profits from their work 3. Workers do not have access to the profits

from their products

II. Principles of Marxism

II. Principles of Marxism

D. Role of Government 1. Government has complete control of key economic sectors 2. Concept of personal ownership is gone 3. Personal property is re-distributed 4. Government is completely responsible for education, healthcare, military, housing,etc

Alienation & Commodity

II. Principles of MarxismE. Alienation & Commodity

1. Worker is not only alienated from his

or her product but also from society

2. worker alienation results in the worker

becoming a commodity (something

that can be bought & sold)

3. Once the worker becomes a

commodity, he or she has completely

lost their power in society

Alienation & Commodity

III. Revolution Against the Bourgeoisie

III. Revolution Against the Bourgeoisie

A. The proletariat must overthrow the bourgeois

B. Establish a new government 1. nationalize all economic sectors 2. end private ownership

3. provide housing, education, healthcare, etc

4. end all class distinctions

IV. Utopia: A Perfect Society

A. No socio-economic classes

B. No family structure

C. No religion

D. No private ownership

E. Communal, everyone shares

V. Forms of Marxism(Marxism in Practice-Cuba)

• A. Fidel Castro’s forces took over on

January 8, 1959

• B. they confiscated private property,

nationalized public utilities, took over

most businesses

• C. kicked many US companies, such as

GE, AT&T

V. Forms of Marxism(Marxism in Practice-Cuba)

• D. National healthcare system

• E. Public education 6 to 15 years old

• F. No freedom of speech, religion, etc

• G. large population of political prisoners

• H torture

VI. Socialism

• A. the transition between capitalism &

communism

• B. government has control of some or all

key industries, public utilities, housing,

banking, etc

• C. healthcare & education are provided

VII. Mixed Economy

A. combination of Marxism

& capitalism

B. Both government & privately owned businesses eg post office, Lo’real

C. Healthcare, education, Social Security,

military, unemployment insurance,

welfare, legal aid, etc

VII. Mixed EconomyD. Laws regulating businesses, the

environment, banking, labor, patents, copyrights, etc

E. Basic freedoms guaranteed

F. Egs. of mixed economies: US, China, France, UK, India, Germany, Mexico, Japan, Australia

VIII. Free Market EconomiesFree Trade vs. Fair Trade

Free Trade:

A. Workers are not fairly paid

B. Poor working conditions

C. Few or no environmental protections

D. Little government intervention

Fair Trade:A. Workers or Farmers fairly paidB. Better working conditionsC. Some environmental protectionsD. Government oversight