Karl Marx And Engels - Socialism Flashcards
(8 cards)
What did Marx and Engels believe about human nature?
Humans are naturally co-operative, creative, and social. Capitalism corrupts this nature by promoting greed, class conflict, and competition. True human potential can only be realised in a classless, communist society.
Still relevant in critiques of consumerism and inequality in capitalism. Critics argue humans are often driven by self-interest, making a purely classless society hard to achieve.
What did Marx and Engels believe about the state?
The state is not neutral — it exists to protect the interests of the bourgeoisie (ruling capitalist class). The working class (proletariat) must overthrow the capitalist state through revolution. After revolution, a temporary proletarian state would exist, then wither away into stateless communism.
Some still see the state as protecting elites (e.g. tax policy, lobbying). Most societies today rely on the state to deliver services — many reject the idea of abolishing it.
What was their view of society and authority?
Society is shaped by class conflict between workers and capitalists. Capitalist authority is based on economic control, not legitimacy. Real authority should come from collective ownership and democratic control of production.
Influences movements for workers’ rights and critiques of corporate power. Authoritarian regimes that claimed to follow Marxism have damaged its reputation.
What did Marx and Engels believe about the economy and private property?
Capitalism is exploitative — workers produce value, but capitalists take the profit (surplus value). They believed in abolishing private property (means of production), replacing it with common ownership. They wanted to end wage labour and profit — moving to a planned economy based on need, not profit.
Still shapes left-wing arguments for wealth redistribution and nationalisation. Full abolition of private property is rare in modern left-wing politics.
How did Marx and Engels view freedom and rights?
They rejected liberal rights (like property rights) as protecting capitalist interests. True freedom is not individual liberty, but freedom from economic oppression. They believed only a classless society could deliver genuine equality and liberation.
Many agree economic inequality limits real freedom today. Liberal rights (e.g. speech, voting) are seen as essential in most democracies.
What did they believe about equality and class?
Class struggle is central to history — society is divided into exploiters and the exploited. They believed in absolute social and economic equality, not just equal rights. They wanted to abolish all class divisions through revolution and collective ownership.
Class inequality remains a major issue (e.g. wealth gaps). Most reformers now seek reduced inequality, not full class abolition.
What was their view on tradition and social change?
They saw tradition (e.g. religion, monarchy) as tools of oppression, used to control workers. They supported radical change through revolution — not gradual reform. They believed capitalism would naturally collapse and be replaced by socialism.
Inspired socialist revolutions, especially in the 20th century. Modern democratic systems usually favour reform over revolution.
What did Marx and Engels believe about power and authority?
Power is based on economic control — those who own production control society. Authority under capitalism is illegitimate and serves the ruling class. Legitimate authority must come from the collective will of the working class.
Still shapes debates on corporate influence and political corruption. Modern societies rely on structured authority — abolishing it is seen as unrealistic by many.
