Marxism/ Neo- Marxism
What is Marxism?
• The concept of Marxism was developed by the
German philosopher, economist and sociologist
Karl Marx. He developed the concept based on
his analysis of economic development during the
Industrial Revolution of the mid 19th century.
• In his Communist manifesto (1848), Marx was
critical of the capitalist mode of production and
the consequences for persons in such societies
Central Concept of Marxism
• The central concept of Marxism is the nature of capitalism
and its exploitative effects
 A capitalist society is one in which large investment of
capital is made by a small group of persons for the
production of goods, with the aim of maximizing profit.
Marx argues that the accumulation of this wealth comes
from the exploitation of the masses (proletariat)
 The exploitation comes in the form of low wages far below
the value of the goods produced for the proletariat while
the capitalist obtains the difference between the wage and
the value of the commodity (profits)
Central Concept of Marxism Cont’d
• Marx argued that the economic dominance of this small
minority influences the political structure of these
societies. Therefore the Government, schools, churches,
judiciary as well as beliefs and values will reflect the ruling
class (bourgeoisie) ideology.
• Marx argued that a class struggle is the outcome in such
societies and this struggle will transform the capitalist
society into a communal or class- less society
• This struggle is peaked by the process of alienation and the
difference in relationship between both classes and the
factors of production (land, labour, capital)
Marxism in The Caribbean
• Caribbean leaders such as Michael Manley,
Forbes Burnham and Maurice Bishop of
Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada respectively,
were all influenced by Marxism/ NeoMarxism
Democratic Socialism in Jamaica
1972
•
Manley rose to power in Jamaica in 1972 against the backdrop of social unrest and
widespread call for welfare reform.
•
Manley therefore developed a deep- seated commitment to social justice and
equality because of the stark realities he faced as president of the National
Worker’s Union (NWU), where he represented poor workers against wealthy
employers
•
In keeping with the Marxist ideology that the masses should own the means of
production, the Manley regime embarked upon a nationalization programme of
owning majority of the shares in the electricity and telephone companies and
transport system
•
He also imposed a 7.5% Bauxite Levy on all bauxite companies operating in the
country in an effort to increase the revenue of the country. He passed legislations
to protect the vulnerability of the society such as: The Family Court Act, Maternity
Leave Act and the Minimum Wage Act
Co-operate Socialism in Guyana
•
After independence from Britain (1966), the Linden Forbes Burnham regime
adopted a socialist type of economic development
•
Burnham amended the constitution of 1966 to reflect the fundamental nature of
Cooperative Socialism to the Guyanese people.
•
The principal objectives of the new political system was to extend socialist
democracy such that citizens would participate in the management and decisionmaking process of the state
•
Burnham started a process of nationalization in sugar, bauxite and communication
sectors, with the aim of redistributing wealth to the masses through social
programmes such as health and education
•
However government’s lack of financial resources made it difficult to coordinate its
activities and the increasing debt burden of Guyana during this period led to the
government turning to the IMF
Socialism in Grenada
•
The aim of Maurice Bishop and the New Jewel Movement (NJM) was to rid the
country from colonial political thinking under the leadership of Eric Gairy
•
Bishop displayed selected socialist tendencies of nationalization of banks,
transportation and the media
•
He sought to improve the conditions of work through progressive labour
legislations, improvement in health as well as education
•
He joined alliances with Cuba and other countries in the far east. Under such
alliances, the Cubans gave technical support in the building of the Pont Salines
Airport in Grenada and the awarding of scholarships to Grenadians to study in
Cuba
•
Unlike Jamaica and Guyana where the socialist experiment proved disastrous
because of heavy debt burden, the Grenadian socialist experiment was short- lived
because of internal conflict