Communism

The term communism came from the Latin word “communis”, meaning “shared” or
“common”.

Communism as an Ideology:

Political and economic doctrine that aims to replace private property and a profit-based
economy with public ownership and communal control of at least the means of production and
the natural resources of a society.

Karl Marx
Marx was born in the German Rhineland to middle-class parents of Jewish descent who
had abandoned their religion in an attempt to assimilate into an anti-sematic society. The young
Marx studied philosophy at the University of Berlin and received a doctorate form University of
Jena in 1841.

Marx investigate the systematic injustice and corruption at all levels of German society.
He was convinced that German (more broadly Europe) society could not be reformed from
within but instead had to be remade from the ground up.

Conflict Theory
It is a socio-political theory that originated from Karl Marx. It explains the political and
economic events in terms of an ongoing struggle over finite resources. On the basis of conflict
theory, Marx divided the modern society into two classes.

Bourgeoisie:

The bourgeoisie is the class in which people own most of the wealth in a capitalist
system and have control over the means of production.

Proletariat:

A social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages.
 As per Marx, history clearly gives us evidence that there is always a class struggle in a
society and society is in conflict between the classes. The dominate (bourgeoisie) always exploit
the other (proletariat). The bourgeoisie control the means of production and working class
generate profit but has no share in that profit.

 No other philosopher has such an influence like Marx. It is because the idea of Marx has
divided the western world into two Blocs (The Capitalist and Communist).
 At that time, for Proletariat, Marx was a God, unfortunately Marx was a God that has failed.

The Labor Theory of Value

Marx argued that the value of a commodity is not determined by its use or utility but by
the amount of socially necessary labor time expended in its production. Socially necessary labor
time refers to the average time required by a skilled worker, using the prevailing technology and
techniques, to produce a particular commodity. It does not include the time taken by individual
workers who might be more or less efficient.
Marx asserted that commodities are exchanged on the basis of their value. The exchange
value of a commodity is determined by the socially necessary labor time required for its
production. In a market economy, goods are exchanged based on their relative values, which are
determined by the labor time necessary for their production.
Marx also introduced the concept of surplus value, which refers to the additional value
created by workers beyond what is necessary to reproduce their labor power. The surplus value is
appropriated by the capitalist class as profit. Marx argued that the extraction of surplus value is a
fundamental characteristic of capitalist exploitation, as workers are not fully compensated for the
value they create.

Example of Surplus Value:

Cost of Production of Cricket Bat:

Material (wood) = 20

Other Material = 10

Labor = 50 (5 hours per bat)

Sale Price = 150

Marx believed that the capitalist has no right on exceptional profit of 70. As it is labor
time that created that value so labor should be compensated for that value. Capitalist has less
right on that profit than labor.
 The Idea of Socialism before Marx
Charles Fourier was a French Socialist who lived from 1772 to 1837 and is credited with
being an early socialist similar to Robert Owen, He wrote several works related to his socialist
ideas which centered on his main idea for society.

 Marx called them Utopian.

Utopian: Proposing or advocating impractical ideal social and political schemes.

Their idea is that society should be more cooperative. In cooperation, citizens in a

country work for common goal rather than competing against each other. This cooperativeness
improves the life style of all the people in the society not just the wealthiest which brings
equality in society.

But Marx criticized them because according to Marx they lack the scientific
understanding of History. As you cannot bring equality by appealing to conscience of the
capitalists.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Hegel was a German Philosopher. He is one of the most important figure in German
Idealism and also a founding figure of modern western philosophy and explain the philosophy of
history.

“State is march of God on this Earth.” (Hegel)

Marx was influenced by Hegel. So let’s have a look at Hegelian philosophy and his
understanding of history.

Dialectic
The term "dialectic" owes much of its prestige to its role in the philosophies of Socrates
and Plato, in the Greek classical period (5th to 4th centuries BC). Aristotle said that it was the
pre-Socratic philosopher Zeno of Elea who invented dialectic, of which the dialogues of Plato
are the examples of the Socratic dialectical method.

According to Kant, however, the ancient Greeks used the word "dialectic" to signify the
logic of false appearance or semblance.

Hegelian Dialectic:
Hegel properly explains the concept of Dialectic and how it brings change in history. He
gives the progressive view of history, which means next stage is a better stage(optimistic). The
theory of history by Hegel is known as idealistic interpretation of history.
In the western philosophy scholars can be classified into two types.

1. Idealist (Plato, Hegel)

2. Materialist (Hobbes, Marx)

For idealist, Idea is a moving force behind history.

For Materialist, Matter is the moving force behind history.

Antithesis

Thesis Synthesis

Synthesis Thesis

Antithesis

First law of dialectics (unity of opposites):

Every idea has its opposite idea. For example, if there is an idea of good, there is an idea
of bad. It means anti-thesis is inherent in thesis. It means everything has its own contradictions or
negation.

This principle is called as unity of opposites.

Since there is a contradiction there is a movement and once contradiction ends movements
ends. As per the laws of dialectics, contradiction is the moving force of history. It shows that the
next stage is inherent in pervious stage.

Second law of dialectics (Negation of negation):

Dialectical Movement happen on its own. Dialectical movement happens in a way that
negativity/contradiction gets negated. It means from lesser truth we are move towards higher
truth. Thus, law of history is a progressive view of history.
Third law of dialectics (Quantity changes into Quality):

It means that change does not happen overnight, it only appears as if it is an overnight
change or a drastic change.

First quantitative changes take place and then qualitative changes become so huge that it
appears as if there is a qualitative change.

Let’s take an example of slave market. It existed in history and at that time it was
considered as necessary element to run the economy as they are working to produce
commodities. Slaves were used as front line force in war but they didn’t have the right equal to
free men. It was an idea at that time but it has contradiction in itself, like if slaves are also
Humans then why they don’t have rights equal to others (free peoples). So antithesis happened.
After eliminating contradiction from thesis and antithesis, synthesis happened that slaves should
have right equal to other and then slavery abolished. Hegel believes that this is how history is
progressive and every synthesis is better than previous synthesis and there will be a time when
absolute synthesis formed.

For idea, Hegel believe that god is an absolute idea. God is a universal spirit.

By developing that concept Hegel argues, in a state we find the 100% reflection of GOD.
Once God has created the state, history ends. Thus, Hegel has explained how state is a march of
God on this earth.

So we can say, God =state to some extent.

 God is omnipresent so the state is also omnipresent.

 God is omnipotent so the state is also omnipotent.
 God is altruistic then state is also altruistic because Hegel believe that state is compose of
people then why state will do unjust and state is unselfish.

Marx criticize Hegel on the concept that state is unselfish. Marx believes that state is an
exploitatory institute. State only work for bourgeoisie and the working class always struggle
within state.

State gets its revenue from capitalist so the state will also favor that group so the conflict of
classes always exists until the state exist.
 Dialectic Materialism
Dialectical materialism is a philosophical framework developed by Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels that forms the basis of Marxist theory. It combines the principles of dialectics, a
method of understanding change and development, with the materialist view of history.

Explanation:

Dialectical materialism is a philosophical approach that analyzes society and history

through the lens of material conditions and class struggle. It emphasizes the interplay between
opposing forces and the transformative nature of contradictions. According to this framework,
societies evolve through a dialectical process involving the clash of opposing socioeconomic
classes. The ruling class maintains its dominance through the ownership of the means of
production, while the subordinate class seeks to overthrow this system of exploitation. This clash
ultimately leads to social revolution and the establishment of a new classless society. Dialectical
materialism recognizes the primacy of material conditions, such as the mode of production and
the resulting class relations, in shaping human history.

Key Principles of Dialectical Materialism:

Dialectical materialism encompasses several fundamental principles:

1. Materialist Foundation:
The material world and its objective conditions, including the means of production, shape
social, economic, and political structures.
2. Dialectical Approach:
Dialectics refers to the understanding of change and development as the result of
opposing forces and contradictions. Contradictions exist within every aspect of society and
drive its transformation.
3. Class Struggle:
Society is characterized by class divisions and class struggle. The ruling class, which
owns the means of production, exploits the working class. This struggle leads to social
change and the development of new social systems.
4. Historical Materialism:
History is not determined by abstract ideas or individuals but by material conditions. The
economic base, including the productive forces and relations of production, shapes the
superstructure of society, including its ideology, culture, and political institutions.
5. Revolution and Socialism:
Dialectical materialism asserts that the resolution of class contradictions will occur
through revolutionary struggle. This process leads to the establishment of socialism, where
the means of production are collectively owned by the working class.
 Idea of Revolution
Private Accumulation
Inequality Injustice
Property of Wealth

According to this the main reason for exploitation is private property. If there is common
property, there is no exploitation that ends the conflict between the classes. Resources are
distributed according to ability and needs. This make people so self-sufficient that there is no
need of state.
Socialism before communism:
Marx believes in dialectic materialism so when the capitalism reached its advance stage
which increase the level of exploitation to maximum then the worker class unite and bring
violent revolution as Marx believe that violence is the mid-wife of change (revolution). Due to
this revolution proletariat class gain power and Dictatorship of proletariat Formed. Marx called
The Dictatorship of proletariat as socialism. Proletariat class control all means of production and
will establish social and economic system in such a way that ends the need of state, which is the
last stage called communism.

Criticism
 Suppression of Individual Liberty:
Critics contend that communism tends to prioritize collective goals over individual
rights and freedoms. They argue that the emphasis on communal ownership and centralized
control can restrict personal choices, stifle innovation, and limit individual autonomy. This
criticism often highlights the lack of political pluralism, censorship, and restrictions on
freedom of speech and assembly in communist regimes.

 Lack of Incentives and Motivation:

Critics argue that communist systems, which advocate for the abolition of private
property and the equal distribution of resources, undermine individual motivation and
incentive to work hard and be productive. They claim that without the prospect of personal
gain or reward for individual effort, people may lack the drive to innovate, take risks, and
contribute fully to the economy.

 Oversimplification of Social Dynamics:

Critics argue that Marx's class struggle theory oversimplifies complex social relations
by reducing them to a binary conflict between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the
proletariat (working class). They contend that society is more nuanced, consisting of multiple
classes and intersecting identities beyond the economic realm, such as race, gender, and
culture, which can influence power dynamics and social inequality.
 Neglect of Middle Classes and Small Business Owners:
Critics claim that Marx's theory overlooks the middle classes, small business owners,
and self-employed individuals who do not fit neatly into the capitalist or working-class
categories. They argue that these groups play a significant role in the economy and society,
and their interests and aspirations are not adequately represented in Marx's class struggle
framework.

 Inadequate Consideration of Non-Economic Factors:

Critics contend that Marx's focus on economic factors as the primary drivers of class
struggle overlooks the significance of non-economic factors, such as culture, ideology, and
political power. They argue that these factors can shape social hierarchies and inequalities
independent of economic class, and their omission weakens the explanatory power of Marx's
theory.

 Subjectivity of Value:
Critics argue that Marx's labor theory of value fails to account for the subjective
nature of value. According to Marx, the value of a commodity is determined by the amount
of socially necessary labor time required to produce it. However, opponents contend that
value is not solely derived from labor but also influenced by factors such as utility, scarcity,
and subjective preferences of consumers, which are not adequately considered in the labor
theory.

 Ignoring Marginal Utility:

Critics assert that Marx's labor theory of value overlooks the concept of marginal
utility, which plays a significant role in determining prices and value in market economies.
Marginal utility theory argues that the value of a good is determined by the additional
satisfaction or utility derived from its consumption, rather than the amount of labor expended
in its production.