Historical Materialism and Revolutionary Change (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels) (Edexcel A-Level Politics): Revision Notes

7.3.1 Centrality of Social Class: Historical Materialism and Revolutionary Change (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels)

Origins of Marxism

Marxism emerged due to two major historical events:

Socialism

Marxism was influenced by the Hegelian dialectic, which emphasises change as a result of conflicting ideas leading to new compromises.

Historical Materialism

• Marxism explains historical and social developments in terms of economic and class factors.
• The economic system shapes all aspects of society.
• Each historical stage is marked by intellectual and class conflict, leading to a new societal structure until the next wave of change.

Class Struggle as the Engine of History

• Marx and Engels believed that all historical development is driven by class conflicts over control of the means of production.
• This struggle between social classes is seen as the primary force behind social, economic, and political change.

Stages of Historical Development

Marx and Engels identified several stages of historical development, each defined by a dominant mode of production and class relations:

1. Primitive Communism: Early communal societies with no class distinctions.
2. Slave Society: Dominated by slave-owners exploiting enslaved people.
3. Feudalism: Characterised by a land-owning aristocracy exploiting serfs.
4. Capitalism: Defined by the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) exploiting the proletariat (working class).
5. Socialism/Communism: The final stage, where the proletariat overthrows the bourgeoisie, leading to a classless society.

Dialectical Change

The Clash of Economic Interests

• Development occurs through the conflict between two opposing forces.
• At each stage of history, change is driven by the clash between exploiters and the exploited.
• This process only ends with the establishment of a communist society.

Dialectical Process in Capitalism

• The struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is a dialectical process.
• Capitalism's inherent contradictions—like labour exploitation and wealth concentration—create tensions that will eventually lead to its downfall and the emergence of socialism.

Class Consciousness

• Shared Class Consciousness: The proletariat must develop an awareness of their collective interests to overthrow their oppressors.
• "Class for Itself": The proletariat becomes aware of their shared exploitation and collective power, driving them to resist and aim for revolutionary change.
• Capitalism's Role: Capitalism fosters class consciousness, making a revolution necessary to replace it with socialism. This change cannot be achieved through liberal political systems.

Role of Ideology and the State

• Marx and Engels argue that the ruling class (bourgeoisie) uses ideology, culture, and the state to maintain control and prevent class consciousness among the proletariat.
• Institutions like education, religion, media, and politics serve as tools that reinforce capitalist values and norms, preserving the existing power structures.

Revolution as the Path to Socialism

Marxist-Leninism

• Lenin's View: Revolution and dictatorship could only occur where capitalism and the proletariat were developed.
• Revolution in Pre-Industrial Countries: Lenin argued that early revolutions could prevent masses from adopting capitalist values.
• Revolutionary Elite: Lenin emphasised the need for a revolutionary elite to guide the movement.

Critique of Hegel

Revolution of 1848

• Marx viewed the European revolutions as an opportunity for direct involvement in revolutionary change.
• He aimed to provide daily guidelines for action and critical analysis of the existing social order.

In a Communist Society