28 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
28 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
**Marxism** is a complex and influential philosophy based upon the
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theories of [Karl Marx](Karl_Marx "wikilink") and [Friedrich
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Engels](Friedrich_Engels "wikilink") and is widely seen as one of the
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most influential philosophies in human history (and certainly the most
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influential anti-capitalist philosophy) Marxist theory is generally
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oriented around several major points:
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1. Society is generally divided into different 'classes' based on
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people's relationship to the means of production, whether they work
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on it (the [proletariat](Working_Class "wikilink")) or they own,
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control and reap the benefits of it (the
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[bourgeoisie](Ruling_Class "wikilink")).
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2. These classes are perpetually in conflict. For example, under
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capitalism, the bourgeoisie is happier to earn more profit so they
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cut wages and increase rents, which hurts the proletariat. Whilst
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the proletariat is happier to earn more in
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[wages](Wage_Labour "wikilink") and having reduced
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[rents](Rent "wikilink"), achieved through methods like
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[strikes](Strike "wikilink").
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3. Capitalism is therefore perpetually in conflict with itself, not to
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mention business needs to constantly [grow](Grow_or_Die "wikilink")
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and innovate, leading to a [falling rate of
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profit](Tendency_of_the_rate_of_profit_to_fall "wikilink").
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4. The conflict cannot be resolved without a
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[revolution](revolution "wikilink") which would eliminate class
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distinction by bringing in [common ownership](Commons "wikilink")
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and [production for use](production_for_use "wikilink"), a
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[communist](Communism "wikilink") society. |