Marxist Theory

MarxistTheory and Cultural Materialism

•Lukács, “Realism in the Balance” (NATC, 1030-1058)
•Williams, “Marxism and Literature” (NATC, 1565-75)
•Marx and Engels, all selections in NATC (759-88)


Karl Marx’s communist ideology centers around labor and labor value. Marxists are known to believe in the broad concepts of economics as well as social circumstance as to settle on religious aspects, cultural structures, including legal systems. For instance, “the diverse influence of Marxist theory has extended into fields as varied as aesthetics, ethics, ontology, epistemology, and philosophyof science, as well as its obvious influence on political philosophy and the philosophyof history. The key characteristics of Marxism in philosophy are its
materialism and its commitment to political practice as the end goal of all
thought” (1570).

One idea that revolves around Marxist theorists is theidea that capitalism is bad and that “religion is the opiate of the masses.” Thesystem insinuates that by paying the working class bare minimum, just enough tokeep them going, and continuing extensive labor, the system profits whenworking class buys back consumer goods. People become overworked laborers and are taken over as part of a larger machine. Instead Marxists suggest equal labor and between the classes for a more peaceful and productive economy. However, history shows us that it does not always work out so well, greed inevitablytakes place of good will. Progressions takes a side-step as the rich seeminglygrow richer; the rich see more and more opportunity for surplus and success andend up pushing further. Marx believes in the hierarchy. Hierarchy tends to be necessary in society. There needs to be a leader (if I learned anything from Lord of the Flies…) for there to be progress. People need a place in life. If you go to any coffee shop, college campus, church, or really anywhere with people, you will find lost souls. People who need direction. People who want to belong, have a place, and make a contribution. I feel safe making this
generality because the few people who say they don’t want to belong, have a place or make a contribution would probably not leave their house and therefore not be in any place with people, therefore excluding them from the sample group of souls. Essentially Marxism would not only provide you with a place and an opportunity to contribute, but would enforce it upon you.