Karl Marx is a German revolutionist who died at age of 64 (5 May, 1812- 14 March, 1883), born in Tier, Germany. Karl Marx was an important figure in the nineteenth century due to his brilliant works on economy, history, sociology and political theory. His works still prevail in recent politics. His revolutionary art in politics and social related affairs were influenced by a lot of factors. Having grown and lived in multiple nations such as Paris, Brussels, Cologne, then London (where he died). He was regarded to be stateless because he belonged to no particular nation. This deeply influenced his theoretical analogies of the state and how it works, as he was able to apply his model of ideologies on various states. It was evident to Karl Marx that most states, if not all states had the same governing systems. These governing systems predominately consisted of class hierarchies. His studies of law, philosophy and economics has had a significant impact on his writing and development of his historical and political writing. However, it is important to mention that amongst all others, Karl Marx was highly influenced by the works of Friedrich Engels as they both had similar philosophical views. Additionally, having grown up in an educated and middle class family, Karl Marx was able to keep his passion for social revolution alive because he had his father who was a successful lawyer and passionate activist for Prussian reform. It is significant to also note that his religious background had an influence on Karl Marx’s theories and ideologies of how the state operates.
Marxist theory Is a political theory that stresses class conflict; as the most significant aspect of life and the key to understanding all human political behaviour. The idea of marxism revolves around an aspect of political behaviour that studies human interaction with focus on the social relationships of production. Marx saw political economy as unrefined; in other words coarse and lacking refinement. He explained that economy was the foundation upon which the construction of a structural society revolves. Marxism best uses the analogy of class hierarchy in society to best explain historical class conflicts. Furthermore, in defining the contradiction of class struggles, he termed ‘’thesis’, to describe that the ruling class were the thesis; while the class being ruled where termed as the ‘antithesis’. In other words these terms are popularly known to the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marx, argued that the ‘’synthesis’’ is attained after clear separation or segregation of the the capitalist system. This is when there would be a balance of equilibrium between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Karl was from a Jewish family and had rabbinical ancestry, his father converted to Christianity in year 1816, at age 35. He became a catholic because that was the predominant faith in Tier. His conversion of faith was a concession response to the laws banning Jews from high society in 1815. He also equated Protestantism with intellectual freedom. His religious background could serve to explain why Marx’s political theory is as an identification of hierarchy existing in society, as the Jews were subordinate. More or less seen as the proletariat at the time (nineteenth century). Therefore, inequality is an experience Marx went through while growing up. It is of no surprise why inequality is a consistent theme in Marxism. In recent politics, religion is a major influence on politics in the sense that religious morals is used in the making and the amendment of state constitution, for example, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, The United States of America, etc… This can be linked with Marx’s theory of emancipation and alienation. In some of these states, where Christianity or Islam is the main state religion, the other religion tends to be at a disadvantage in terms of representation and equality due to the historical notion of some religion being more important than the other and visa versa. Consequently, Karl Marx deduces that any state based of Christian lines are still based on feudal system which which is alien to human and political emancipation. However, Marx thinks religion is beneficial because it encourages labourers to think in the ‘after life reward’, which benefits the economy. Therefore, government uses religion to drive up economy and maintain the capitalist society which benefits political and bourgeoisie interests.
In the early 20th century Marxism formed the philosophical basis for the rise of communism. Important works include his books : ‘The Communist Manifesto’ and ‘Das Kapital’. These works
implies that capitalism is the key remote that controls political behaviour of any resounding economy. Consequently, economics is the dominant factor that brings about reconstruction or change of a society. Marx stresses his point of economics with his concept of class consciousness. The latter implies that there is a set of motivation, values, beliefs that are specific and particular to every given class (proletariat and the bourgeoisie ). Marx pointed that these common behaviour binds a particular class together and facilitate their collective behaviour, otherwise known as class consciousness. Marxism theory suggest that due to class consciousness, the proletarian will eventually revolt against the bourgeoise for economical oppressing. In London, while Marx was a journalist in correspondence for the New York Daily Tribune from 1852 to 1862 (10 years). He earned no wage. This serves to show how the capitalist society cheaply used the proletariat labour to benefit their class. As a result of that, equilibrium can take place between class, hence socialism will gradually erase capitalism. In this case class concept will be less important. In recent politics, nations such as China, Latin America, North Korea and the Soviet Union adopted the socialist theory. Contrarily, Karl Marx also acknowledges that not all socialist model is compliant. Examples include revolutions in China and Korea which are resulting to the political breakdown of their country.
Lastly, The Marxist theory emphases political use of capitalism to create class conflicts to benefit the bourgeoisie at the detriment to proletariat labour. However, equilibrium is when the proletariat attain a level of consciousness and are able to overthrow their oppressor (bourgeoisie) in accordance with the socialist theory. Without any aberration, Marxist theory supports economic freedom for all classes for every individual to attain their species-being (human that is not alienated by any oppressive systematic factor) and gain human and political emancipation. Only though this can we attain ‘the good life’ and have a better society. In recognition that Marxism theory is very much applicable in years to come, the last line of The Communist Manifesto; ‘’Workers of all land unite’’ was etched on his tombstone.