Marxist Approaches to Study World Politics

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Marxist Approaches to Study World Politics

Introduction

Marxian Approach, which is also identified as Class Approach aims to study society and politics with regard to the relationship that exists between two distinct classes—the rich (the haves) and the poor (have nots). At times they are referred to as the owners and the workers (Blackledge, 2020). When it comes to the struggle of class between the two distinct economic cases, it seems that it is the reality of every relation in human societies. Marx asserts that it is based on the perception that economic relations between these two classes determines political relations and it has always been present in all societies globally. This approach by Karl Marx is not only widely known but is also widely used as well. It is simply a socio- economic political analysis (Blackledge, 2020). A number of political analysts and scientists across the globe use it to analyze, explain, ad predict the political processes at work in many countries all over the world. The Marxist approach has it strengths and weaknesses in studying world’s politics.

Strengths

It emphasizes more on practice than theory

The Marxist Approach aims to discover the historical social change and evolution’s objective laws. Furthermore, it suggests actions that would bring about the needed changes that aims to bring to an end the class exploitation (Sanyaolu, 2016). It also aims to push forward the march toward attaining a communist society, which is a stateless and classless society. Marx provides methods that can be used to secure the final goal and one of them is a revolution of the poor against the rich.

There is a Close Relation between Practice and Theory

Another strength of Marxist approach is that it advocates for the relations between theory and practice. It is evident that theory is useless if it does not lead to practice (Sanyaolu, 2016). This approach guides and leads a revolutionary movement through a revolutionary theory. It is evident that the value of theory can only be seen only if it leads to action.

Weaknesses

Politics is an independent process

The Marxist Approach has the wrong assumption that the process of politics depends on the economics relations (Segrillo, 2021). While, the case is economics and politics are two distinct and independent processes.

Oversimplified perception of society

This approach views society as one that is separated by two distinct economic classes which is not acceptable (Segrillo, 2021). In addition, it contains a one-sided and oversimplified perception of social stratification.

The struggle of class is not the law of evolution

In his approach, Marx wrongly suggests that the struggle of class has been and still is an eternal social evolution code. Also, it makes wrong assumptions that revolution is natural and the ultimate culmination of struggle of class.

State is not the rich’s class institution

The view of Karl Marx that the state is the rich’s machine and that it is an instrument that was created at a specific time and that the rich use it as a way to exploit the poor is unacceptable (Rashid, 2017). The welfare state emergence emphasizing the state power use to secure the welfare and interest for everyone, particularly the poor, refutes Marxian logic. Rather than being a class machine, state is a social institution.

The Marxian Approach is Inadequate

Critics of Marxian approach have suggested that history refutes various conclusions made by Karl Marx in his approach. The “socialism” behavior in every socialist state that came into existence was a clear reflection of the Marxian logic’s limitations (Rashid, 2017). The advocacy of class struggle naturalness and the revolution’s inevitability is now rejected by almost everyone and several theoreticians think that the Marxist Approach should be revised.

References

Blackledge, P. (2020, December 3rd). Marx’s Political Thought. doi:10.1093/OBO/9780199756223-0171

Rashid, H. (2017). Karl Marx’s Philosophy and Its Relevance Today. Philosophy and Progress, 15-42.

Sanyaolu, P. (2016, September). HOW MAXIST THEORY RELATES TO POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.18962.96960

Segrillo, A. (2021). Liberalism, Marxism and Democratic Theory Revisited: Proposal of a Joint Index of Political and Economic Democracy Based on the Experience of Transition Countries. bpsr, 22260, 8.