At a glance
Classical Marxism refers to the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels concerning capitalism, class conflict, historical development and emancipation through collective control of production.
Core principles
- Historical materialism; class analysis; critique of exploitation and alienation; working-class emancipation; social ownership; a classless society as the long-term objective.
Origins & development
Developed in nineteenth-century Europe, it analyzed industrial capitalism and labor struggle. Later Marxist parties and schools interpreted its arguments in divergent ways.
Economic outlook
Capitalist ownership and wage relations are central objects of criticism. Collective ownership is envisaged, but Marx and Engels did not provide a complete modern planning blueprint.
Society & government
Political institutions are examined through class power. Revolutionary transformation and eventual overcoming of the class state are goals, with substantial debate about transitional government.
Variations & related traditions
Leninism, democratic Marxism, council communism and Western Marxism selectively develop this inheritance. Classical Marxism is not identical to twentieth-century Soviet administration.
Debates & criticisms
Debates concern historical determinism, value theory, revolutionary strategy and the meaning of democratic emancipation. Later practices cannot simply be read back into the original writings.