Marxism
Rectifying the economic and social problems facing workers in the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a time of significant change and progress, particularly
within political economy and governance. However, many individuals during this time
experienced suppression and sense of loss as the power structures shifted significantly bringing
a major divide between society members. Marxism brought a voice to all of those who were
not benefiting from the changes and progress seen within the Industrial Revolution. These
individuals were placed in positions of labour and according to Marx they were being used and
treated unfairly. Marx is still known today as one of the most influential and controversial
socialists of all time. This paper, will discuss the ways in with Marxism contributed to the
rectification of the economic and social problems facing workers in the Industrial Revolution.
Karl Marx made it his mission to assist those who faced struggle and oppression within
the period of the Industrial Revolution. He brought up economic and social factors within
society and discussed the disadvantages of hierarchal levels to which society is comprised. He
provided his strong opinions in terms of class systems and conflicts as well as voiced unique
views on societal concepts. “The immense strength of Marx has always lain in his insistence on
both the existence of social structure and its historicity, or in other words its internal dynamic
of change”.1 Marx presented two notable critiques of theories which related to the socialist
movement and spoke against capitalistic societies. The first critique revolves around the
1
Hobsbawm, E. J. (1968). Karl Marx's contribution to historiography. Diogenes,16 (64), 37-56.
mechanism which dominates social sciences within the United States and the second critique
provides Marx’s opinions on structural-functional theories. Marx also answered questions
pertaining to the development of humanity over a period of time and discovered mechanisms
in order to differentiate varied human social groups.
Marx shared his belief in regard to the economic influence as being a fundamental
factor to which people rely and are dependent. This belief was referred to as ‘economic
interpretation of history’. In order to explain this concept, he introduced the model of base and
superstructure. The base refers to division of labour between society members namely the
division between the employer and the employee. The terms ‘proletariat’ and ‘bourgeoisie’
were used to decipher those who were part of opposing groups. The proletariats were those
who were wage-earners within a capitalist society. Rather than owning businesses and material
their only value was their labour. The Bourgeoisie were those associated with the middle class.
In Marxist theory, they were the social group that was associated with capitalists as they owned
means of production2
The superstructure refers to society’s institutions and political power. Marx made it
clear that the relationship between these two components were heavily based on dominance
and dependence which is not an ideal way for society to live. Seeing as how the economic base
of society was made up of capitalists who owned productions, Marx believed that these
individuals were given automatic power and authority in which case they were seen in political
2
Marx, K. (1859). Preface. Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy.
and legal positions. This contributed to the ‘superstructure’ of society. Marx stated that the
superstructure refers to a society’s institutions as well as its political power. In addition, the
superstructure heavily contributes to the way in which a society is organized and structured
according to its economic base and modes of production.3
The increase in division of labour created class struggle which Marx discussed within the
Communist Manifesto. Marx’s overall intention was to help those who were caught in the
middle of the class struggle which is why he provided guidance and information in the form of
the Communist Manifesto which talked about how to live in a world that divides its members
based on power and economic position. The Communist Manifesto was the first of a number of
written works that were published with the intention of assisting the working class and to help
guide their future. The main purpose for the Manifesto’s production was to give those living
within a capitalist society support and direction. It focused on a united, collective and socialist
culture. Marx developed theories which observed the ways in which capitalist minorities own
production status but the majority of those people are in positions of labour. “The result is the
relative impoverishment of growing numbers of people, and increasing the gap in life
circumstances between the capitalist and the labourer”.4
Within the Manifesto, Marx also provided his beliefs pertaining to historical laws and
inevitability. “Marx insisted on a systematic and necessary development of human society in
3
4
“Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy”
Marx, K. and Engels, F. (1987). The Communist Manifesto, ed. Jack Wayne. Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press
history, from which the contingent was largely excluded, at all events at the level of
generalization about long-term movements”. 5The Communist Manifesto contributed greatly to
giving working class individuals and labourers much support throughout the Industrial
Revolution. “It summoned to the fight all the employed and oppressed, but principally the
industrial proletariat” (Marx & Engels, 1987, p. 18). Marx certainly made his voice heard in
terms of contributing his views on the understanding of human society. His strong views
pointing toward a socialist movement and away from a capitalism one were made apparent
through his contribution of the Communist Manifesto.
Through Marx’s contributions to an understanding of human society, he made efforts to
explain the relationships that brought the economic structure of society together. This was one
of his many contributions involved in his explanation of why capitalism shifted and changed
society in a negative way. Within the preface of his work Capital, Marx states, “In the social
production of their life, men enter into definite relations that are indispensable and
independent of their will, relations of production which correspond with to a definite stage of
development of their material productive forces”.6 Marx provides his views on the fact that
humans have lost their identities in order to become material productive forces. He explains
that within a capitalist society, humans have become workers “independent of their will”.7
Marx wanted to make the historical facts and concepts that contributed to capitalism and
industrialization known for all of those who experienced exploitation.
5
“Karl Marx's contribution to historiography”
Marx, K. (1867) The Secret of Primitive Accumulation, Capital.
7
“The Secret of Primitive Accumulation”
6
Marx insisted that The Bourgeoisie or those in favour of a Capitalist movement, only
cared about money. He not only believed but firmly addressed the notion that capitalism
derived from those involved within wealthy trades.8 The idea that others could be given
minimum wages to complete the labour while others could expand their industries and their
financial status was the basis of exploitation and the destruction of society. Marx never noted
any particular benefits that could come from a capitalist society. He remarked that it was an
unstable societal structure which would produce more than the working class would be able to
consume just for the benefit of making money. Products would be created for the lowest prices
and cheapest labour possible. This also contributed, to the shift of power seen between
individuals in society.9
Due to his strong opinions, it was no surprise that Marx was considered extreme
overbearing by many. His views of society were at most times vulgar and extremely one-sided.
As the Industrial Revolution sparked changes that many felt would benefit society, Marx
certainly did not want to face the fact that capitalism was the new ideal. More so than
anything, it was difficult for him to justify the inequality that arose particularly within the
political world, government and particularly the workforce.
Commodities, money and capital as Marx stated were viewed through a lens that
symbolized “men’s consciousness” which ultimately determined their social being. Marx
explained that this was the main premise of political economy as a whole. The ways in which
8
9
“The Secret of Primitive Accumulation”
“The Secret of Primitive Accumulation”
money was dispersed, ownership of commodities and overall conflicts in relation to bourgeois
economics was greatly influenced the human thought process and consciousness of the men
within it.10 Societal structure not only prompted a physical changed but also a mental change in
the minds of workers and capitalists. This is basically what Marx was trying to prove. It was the
notion that money created such a strong force and took precedence over prior values and
morals of those within North America which Marx wanted to prove.
Although many view Marx as a domineering socialist who was against progress and
change, his premise still holds strong even today. The divide seen between societal members
based on money, power and control was to him destructive, unfair and exploitative. The
inequality between proletariats and the Bourgeoisie were what he thought, would ultimately
ruin society. With the publication of the Communist Manifesto, Marx attempting to rectify the
issues affecting society at the time. It was apparent that Marx however, was very set in his
views and compared to other emerging socialists and political figures, his ideas were not well
received. Overall, the impression and contribution of Marx plays a significant role in political
history and will continue to be explored, reviewed, analyzed and criticized.
10
“Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy”
Works Cited List
Hobsbawm, E. J. (1968). Karl Marx's contribution to historiography. Diogenes,16 (64), 37-56.
Marx, K. (1859). Preface. Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy.
Marx, K. (1867) The Secret of Primitive Accumulation, Capital.
Marx, K. and Engels, F. (1987). The Communist Manifesto, ed. Jack Wayne. Toronto: Canadian
Scholars' Press