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DIALECTIC AND REVOLUTION-
KARL MARX
Unit Structure:
6.1 Objective
6.2 Introduction
6.3 Books-`Communist Manifesto‟ and `Das capital‟
6.4 Main points of Marxian political philosophy
6.5 Dialectical Materialism
6.6 Materialistic interpretation of history
6.7 Theory of surplus value
6.8 Theory of class-struggle
6.9 The Dictatorship of the Proletariat
6.10 Classless and stateless society
6.11 Nature of communist society
6.12 Unit End Questions
6.1 OBJECTIVES
To study the concept of dialectic and revolution in context of
Karl Marx‟s ideology of communism.
6.2 INTRODUCTION
Karl Marx was a German philosopher who is consider as the
father of „Communism‟. Dialectics is a theory of development. It is a
soul of Marxism or communism. Karl Marx was influenced by
following factors :-
1) Hegel‟s impact:: Karl Marx was born in 1818 in Prussia
(Germany). When he was studying philosophy at the Berlin
University, he came under the influence of Hegelian philosophy.
He became a member of „Young Hegelians‟.
2) Impact of Socialist: After his education he worked as journalist
and turned to the study of economics and politics. Due to his
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radical and revolutionary writings his newspaper was
suppressed by the Prussian government. Hence he had to flee
to Paris. There he came in contact with French socialist. He was
influenced by the Socialist. Marx has taken the central idea of
socialism from the early socialists.
3) Activist: Karl Marx was not only „a man of words‟ but also „a man
of action‟. He had taken an active part in the Revolution of 1848
in France and Prussia. He was expelled from Prussia for his
radical views. He went to London and lived the rest of his life
among the workers in their slums and suffered the hardships
that workers suffered. In 1864, Marx was active in organizing
the International workingmen‟s Association in London.
4) Materialist philosophy: Marx was influenced by Ludwig
Fearbach for his materialist philosophy. The central idea of his
materialism is his refusal to accept God and Religion. Marx
condemned religion as the opium of the masses.
5) British political economy: Marx was inspired by the classical
school of the British political economy. Classical economists like
Ricardo developed the theory of value. Marx used that theory in
his theory of surplus value. In this way most of the ideas of Marx
were anticipated by his predecessors in Germany, France and
England.
6) Influence of contemporary situation: In the 17 th and 18th century
the bourgeois revolution destroyed the feudal system. It was
replaced by capitalism and the bourgeoisie conquered political
power also, and established their domination. Result of this
system was inequality, impoverishment of the workers. It
created large scale discontent in the working class. They tried to
rebel. But their rebel was unorganized Marx felt that first of all
political structure is to be changed. In a bourgeois set up
workers cannot improve their economy. The state is the
instrument of exploitation in the hands of bourgeois, So Marx
felt that it would be the first task of the proletariat to revolt
against capitalist and capture state power. Marx held the view
that without changing the relations of production the radical
change in society is not possible.
6.3 BOOKS-“COMMUNIST MANIFESTO” AND “DAS
CAPITAL”
Marx wrote the book „Poverty of Philosophy‟ „Communist
Manifesto‟ and „Das capital‟. These books became the bible of the
communists throughout the world. It has been translated in every
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language of the civilized world. It brought revolutionary socialism
i.e. communism in politics and in political theory.
It brought consciousness and awareness in the proletarians. It
gave encouragement to the working class to unite. It gave a call of
revolution to the working class.
These books contain the fundamental philosophy of Marx.
6.4 MAIN POINTS OF MARXIAN POLITICAL
PHILOSOPHY
1) Dialectical Materialism.
2) The materialistic interpretation of history.
3) Theory of surplus value.
4) Theory of class-struggle.
5) The Dictatorship of the proletariat
6) Classless and stateless society.
6.5 DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM
Dialectics is a theory of development. It is soul of Marxism.
Marx was influenced by Hegel and his concept of dialectics.
6.5.1 Meaning of Dialectic:
Dialectics is the method of arriving at the truth by discussion
after presenting contradictory propositions. This was the method
that the Greek thinkers adopted. In the ancient Greeks the dialectic
was the art of discussing a problem by way of question and
answers. Hegel used this method to explain the process of History
and the origin of state. Marx applied dialectics to show the process
of development of communism.
6.5.2 Features of Dialectical theory:
1) Dialectics regard nature as a connected and integral whole.
2) Nature is not stable. It is subject to change and the change is
continuous.
3) There is constant conflict between negative and positive forces.
Contradictions is inherent in all things. Contradictions is the
moving principle of the world.
4) The changes in dialectics are never smooth and gradual but
rapid.
5) Quantitative change is gradual and qualitative change is abrupt.
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Hegel used dialectical method to explain the process of
history. According to him in dialectical process the dominant ideas
of each age was the „thesis‟, which was confronted by its opposite
the „anti-thesis. The clash between the two gave rise to a
„synthesis‟, which brought together the best elements in both. Marx
accepts Hegelian concept of the dialectics i.e. thesis, anti-thesis
and synthesis.
6.5.3 Marx opposed to Dialectical idealism of Hegel:
But he asserts that it is the economic forces that are
responsible for the progress through dialectics. That is why his
principle is known as „dialectical Materialism‟. He emphasized that it
is the material factors which are responsible for the development of
history. Thus Marx was opposed to Dialectical idealism of Hegel.
Marx was a materialist. Marx gave primacy to matter while Hegel
emphasised ideas, Marx said that Hegel‟s thought of dialectic stood
on its head, and Marx turned it right way up.
6.5.4 Marx believed there is nothing but the material universe:
Dialectical process determined social development
throughout history. The driving force of social change is the
struggle between the opposites. The struggle is between the
economic classes. Thus Marx held that materialism was realistic
and scientific. Marx opposed Hegel‟s notion of spirit and said that it
was imaginary.
6.5.5 Rejection of all religions:
Marx condemned religion as the opium of the masses.
6.5.6 The whole history of mankind is a history of class
struggles:
e.g. Slaves against masters, serfs against feudal lords,
workers against capitalists. This type of struggle has been going on
down the ages. This process leads to the final stage of the struggle
between the proletariat and bourgeois.
Marx calls upon the working class to unite and overthrow the
established order. In the struggle between the two classes,
classless society will be established. In the classless society, the
state has no role to fulfill. Hence it withers away. Communism is
established and exploitation ends. In this struggle Thesis will be
bourgeois; Antithesis will be proletariat and synthesis will be
communism.
6.6 MATERIALISTIC INTERPRETATION OF HISTORY
Meaning:
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Historical materialism of Karl Marx is the application of
principle of dialectical Materialism to the development of Society. It
is an economic interpretation of history. According to Marx all the
major phenomenon of history are determined by economic
conditions.
Principles of historical materialism:
1) History is based on materialism:
Marx rejected Hegelian concept of idea. His interpretation of
history is based on materialism. According to Marx change and
development of society take place. According to the objective laws,
not according to divine laws. (Objective laws relate to the material
world)
2) The progress is determined by the material conditions:
The determinant of historical phenomenon is economic
condition. Production exchange and distribution decide the nature
of society and polity. Legal, political and other structures are built
on this foundation social and political institutions, the trade and
industry art and value systems are the super structures built on the
material base. The entire national life is conditioned by the material
conditions.
To quote Marx, “All the social, political and intellectual
relations, the religious and legal systems, all theoretical outlooks,
which emerge in the course of history are derived from the material
conditions of life.
3) To bring about any substantial change in the society, one
must change the material foundation of the society:
Marx pointed out how a particular class which gets control of
the means of production, will dominate the rest. It will use political
power alongwith its economic might to oppress others, and thus
create a revolutionary situation. This is demonstrated by the fact
that class wars have been the main theme of history. This will
finally lead to the classless society. Thus necessary social change
will come about.
4) Marx predicts revolution of the labouring class against the
bourgeoisie:
According to him change in production relations call for the
change in the whole social system and political order.
In the primitive communal system the means of production
were socially owned. In the slave system – Slaves and Masters two
classes were there, slave owners were the owners of the sources
of production. In the feudal system feudal Lords owned the means
of production. Feudal Lords purchased the labour of serfs.
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Industrial revolution changed the economic and political
scene of the society. Capitalism destroyed the feudal structure of
society. In capitalist system bourgeois owned the means of
production and exploited the working class. The future revolution
between labouring class and bourgeoisie will create a new socialist
society. i.e. a casteless, classless and stateless society.
Marx pointed out how a particular class which gets control
on the means of production will dominate the rest, use political
power alongwith its economic might to oppress the others and thus
create situation, which is conducive for revolution.
Criticism of the idea of materialistic interpretation of history:
This theory ignores the part played by non-economic factors
in shaping history. e.g. religion, lust for power etc. There is no
doubt that the economic factor may be the dominant factor but it is
not the only factor which is responsible for all changes in the social
structure.
Inspite of shortcomings the doctrine is useful because it has
broadened the study of history.
6.7 THEORY OF SURPLUS VALUE
A) Objective:
To expose the injustice and exploitation under the capitalist
system Marx developed the theory of surplus value in „Das Capital‟.
The entire Marxist ideology is in the nature of protest against the
social injustice under the capitalist system.
B) Meaning of surplus value:
According to Marx surplus value is the difference between
the value of goods produced by the workers and the actual wages
paid to them.
C) Marxian theory of surplus value is based on the following
points:
1) Labour is the real productive factor which enhances the
value. Natural resources are turned into commodities because of
labour. Hence labour is the real productive factor. Value created by
the worker but pocketed by the capitalist i.e. profit. The amount of
wages paid to the worker are very less. The balance, which is
rightfully his, but is denied to him. All the profit i.e. surplus value
goes to the capitalist. It is naked, brutal exploitation of workers.
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2) Workers are forced to sell their labour:
After industrial revolution the workers had no access to
means of production. Society was divided into two groups. One was
the owner of the means of production i.e. Capitalist. Other one is
the Labourers, who had labour to sell. The capitalist fully exploited
the situation. The capitalist can exploit the workers because they
own the means of production and workers are forced to sell their
labour to them. They paid meagre wages, get more work done by
them. Thus surplus value leads to exploitation. e.g. a piece of wood
may be worth Rs. 100/- but when it is converted into a chair by the
labour of a carpenter, the chair is worth Rs. 200. So the
employment of labour has increased the value by Rs. 100/-. This
addition to value belongs to the labour but goes to the capitalist.
3) Greed of the capitalist class leads to the internal
contradiction of capitalism:
Marx points out that this surplus value will become larger
and larger as capitalism advances. When the proletariat is exploited
beyond endurance, the inevitable revolution will take place. it would
lead to the fall of the capitalist order.
Evaluation of theory of Surplus Value:
(1) Marx‟s theory of surplus value is an extension of Ricardo‟s
theory. In this theory it is not true that the labour of worker is the
only value producing factor. Marx ignored other factors like
capital, management etc.
(2) It is a propagandist theory as it flatters the workers. We must
also remember the fact that Marx was writing in a period when
social welfare legislations, wage control act were unknown.
In fact, Marx showed the ugly aspect of „Factory system‟ of
19th century.
6.8 THEORY OF CLASS STRUGGLE: (REVOLUTION)
The „communist Manifesto‟, called as the Bible of the
working class starts with the statement that “The history of all
existing society is the history of the class struggles”. They had
different names at different times. e.g. freemen and slaves, Lord
and serf. One was oppressor and the other was oppressed.
The constant struggle between the oppressed and the
oppressor is recorded throughout the history of mankind, either
openly or hidden. But in the past the oppressor always succeeded
in suppressing the revolt of the oppressed. Because oppressed
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class lacked consciousness of being exploited and second point
was their exploitation was not brutal and open.
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A) Causes of the Class Struggle:
However, the nature of conflict under the capitalist system is
qualitatively different. The exploited have become aware of their
exploitation. They have got organised not only within their own
country but all over the world. Thus under capitalism, the struggle
between the „bourgeoisie‟ and the „proletariat‟ is more intense than
in any other previous stages in history. In capitalism power
influence and wealth of the capitalists have increased. Condition of
the proletarians has become miserable. The crises will increase.
`The Communist Manifesto‟ makes an appeal to the
proletariat to unite to overthrow the capitalist socio-economic and
political order.
Inevitability of destruction of capitalism:
According to Marx Capitalism does contain the seeds of self-
destruction.
Large-scale production and monopoly are the characteristic
features of capitalism. This leads to the concentration of wealth in
the hands of fewer persons. The few capitalists become extremely
rich. Proletariat are subjected to exploitation and become poorer
and poorer. They will feel capitalism is the source of their misery
and suffering. The interest of the capitalist class is to maximise the
profit, whereas the interest of the working class lies in the
enhancement of wage. So tension is created between these two
classes. It generates the feeling of class-consciousness among the
workers.
Finally, when exploitation is heightened to the maximum and
the misery and suffering of the industrial workers become
unbearable under capitalism. Proletariat will make a joint appeal for
a bloody revolution against the capitalists. This is followed by the
establishment of the proletariat‟s dictatorship.
C) Purpose of the class struggle Establishment of a classless
and stateless society
D) Sources of Revolution:
According to Marx the conflict and contradiction is the main
source of revolution. Proper consciousness among the workers
creates an atmosphere conducive to revolution. Consciousness
about their position, about the utility of struggle. In this matter
Ideology will play the important role. It makes the people conscious.
According to Marx existence of contradiction and consciousness is
very much vital for revolution. People must be mentally prepared to
make any sacrifice for the success of revolution. Hence Marx
makes appeal to the workers of the world to unite as they have
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nothing to lose but their shackles and have a world to win. Thus
Marx with the help of his ideology tried to bring mental prepareness
in the workers. He calls them for a programme of revolutionary
action.
6.9 THE DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT
A) Meaning:
The state of the proletarian dictatorship is the transition from
capitalism to communism. It is the power in the hands of the
workers to crush the capitalist rule and for building up a socialist
society.
After the revolution two changes have to be achieved:
1) Overthrow a capitalist government and its institutions. Capture
the state power.
2) To establish a new state with new order. It means after the
revolution new social order will not come immediately. In
between there will be a transitional period. In that period
dictatorship of the proletariat will work as an instrument.
Changes: In this period. Following changes will be brought-
1) The dictatorship of the proletariat will gradually take over all
natural resources and means of productions under its control. It
will confiscate all private capital.
2) They must capture the state in order to defeat capitalism. They
will reject the legal order maintained by the capitalist state.
3) Centralise credit and finance establish state factories.
4) Concentrate means of transport and speed up production.
5) Compel all to work.
6) Organise labour – handover administrative responsibility of the
state to proletarians.
7) Set up a new political institutions.
8) Classless society – „Each will get according to his capacity and
each according to his work.‟
9) Centralise all instruments of production.
10) Will ensure the development of all.
11) Democratic centralism.
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C) Nature:
According to Marx, the dictatorship of the proletariat is
democracy because it implies control by the vast majority. (2) It
would be a class government, not oppressive. It belongs to the
oppressed classes. (3) It will be human and use force for the
benefit of the majority. (4) It will seize capital from the bourgeoisie
(5) Centralise all instruments of production.
D) Practically:
In practical terms „the Dictatorship of proletariat assumed the
form of the Dictatorship of the communist party in the Soviet Union
and other communist states.
6.10 CLASSLESS AND STATELESS SOCIETY
According to Marx dictatorship of proletariat is an instrument
for the attainment of communism. In the dictatorship of proletariat
class distinctions based on property will disappear. After setting up
of a classless society there will be no need of state, it will wither
way. After that classless and stateless society i.e. communist
society will come.
State is an instrument of exploitation:
Marxian theory of state is fundamentally different from the
traditional theory of state. Traditional theories said that state exists
for the good of the community but Marx rejected this view.
According to him the state is the product of class divisions of
society. The state is an instrument of class rule and exploitation.
State is used as a weapon by the bourgeoisie to exploit the
proletarians. Legislation reflects the will of those who control the
economic affairs.
1) According to Marx state is a political organisation by which the
dominant economic class rules over and exploits the other
economic classes. State is the organisation which is used by
bourgeois for the mutual guarantee of their property and
interest. State is a machine of class domination. The
government in a capitalist state is an agency through which the
ruling class imposes its will upon the subjects and maintains its
privileged position in economic matters.
2) Marx views the state as the product and expression of class
antagonisms: According to Marx state is used as a weapon by
the bourgeoise to exploit the proletarians. Hence the workers
who are exploited by the capitalists can never reconcile
themselves to the capitalist state. They will oppose the state
and liberate themselves by overthrowing the state.
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3) Marx criticizes Hegel‟s theory of state: According to Marx state
is neither the realization of the idea nor march of God on earth.
State is a machine for the oppression of one class by another.
State is a product of class divisions and property system. The
economically powerful class which has access to power uses
state power for its own benefit.
4) In classless society there will be no need of state. It will wither
away – Karl Marx viewed the state as a class institution, used
by the bourgeoisie for the exploitation of the proletariat.
According to him, the state would continue for some time even
after the destruction of capitalism, However, once the capitalist
order is abolished, the state would cease to exist. Thus state
would gradually wither away.
5) Communism – Once the state was got rid of, there would be a
free society of voluntary associations formed for the transaction
of public business. This is the classless society, i.e. a society
without exploitation and the antagonisms of class war. In such a
society people would become gradually accustomed to the
observance of the elementary rules of social life without the
state.
In this classless and stateless society the relations among the
human beings will be organised on the principle of “to each
according to his needs and from each according to his
capacity”.
Finally we will have the association in which “the free
development of each is the condition for the free development of
all” as the communist Manifesto explains.
6.11 NATURE OF COMMUNIST SOCIETY
1) Emancipation of individual from all sorts of slavery is the primary
and sole objective of communism.
2) No classes and no class antagonisms – Discrimination on the
basis of class is the first thing to be banished by communism.
3) Work is compulsory in this society. Each individual must perform
his duties according to his ability. “Each will get according to his
ability and each according to his work.
4) Communist society wants to abolish the leisure class and the
system of unearned income. It will destroy elitism and all its
manifestations.
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5) All artificial differences are removed from communist society.
Differences of class, caste culture, language, race, religion will
not take ugly shapes and hinder the growth of society.
6) Changes will be Radical – Destruction of capitalism and
construction of a new society. i.e. Capitalism to Socialism. It will
release all the productive forces from the grip of capitalists.
Scarcity and poverty are banished.
7) Ensure the development of all – In place of old bourgeois and its
classes, there will be an association in which free development
of each is the condition for the free development of all.
Bourgeois Democracy:
According to Marx universal suffrage, representative
institutions, glorification of people‟s political rights all these are a
farce. Actually in capitalist order on the name of democracy, it is a
democracy of elites, rich class order, without an emancipation from
economic bondage the real nature of democracy is not possible.
Evaluation:
Criticism:
1) Marx made confusion between the social classes and economic
classes. He assumed the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. He
ignored the emergence of the new classes of managers and
technicians.
2) Marx depicted only one side of state. He has not noted the utility
of state. The abolition of the state will create an anarchical
condition.
Contribution:
1) Communist ideology is strongly followed by some countries
establishment of communism in Russia, China and in other
countries.
2) Welfare measures – The birth of modern welfare state owes
much to the writing of Karl Marx.
Marxian ideology aroused the consciousness of the western
countries. The reforms introduced to bring about betterment of
the working class.
3) Communist ideology brought awareness in the workers. In
modern age it is not only an ideology but also become a political
movement.
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4) Revolutionary thinker who opposed capitalist order. He gave a
programme of revolution and reorganization of society in the
form of communism. His ideology is recognized as militant and
revolutionary socialism.
6.12 UNIT END QUESTIONS
1) Review Marxian concepts of
a) Dialectical Materialism, b) Class-war.
2) Comment on Marxian concepts of withering away of the state.
