Marxism in International Relations

1. Marxism
Socialism
&
Communism

2. Karl Marx’s
Introduction
Historian, Philosopher and Economist

3. Karl Marx, “the Philosophers
have only interpreted the world in
various ways; the point, however,
is to change it.”

4. Marxism is a branch of socialism, a theory
that holds that the more powerful classes
oppress and exploit the less powerful by
denying them their fair share of surplus they
create.
Defining Marxism

5. Capitalism
•“Capitalism is a social and economic system
based on private ownership of the means of
production and free market system of trade and
operation is for profit from the means of
productions i.e. Farm, land, factory and other
resources”. (Wikipedia)

6. The consequences of capitalism can
be summarized as under
Worst conditions of workers, housing and health
 Income inequality
 Child labour
 Hunger
 Rapid Urbanization (slums)
 Pollution

7. Socialism
Population collectively owns and control
means of production. The distribution
of results is proportional and reflects a
welfare society.

8. What is Communism
Communism - a government where
people shared work fairly and were paid
equally.
The word “Communism” comes from
the Latin word “Communis” which
means common or belonging to all.

10. Occupy!
A Case Study

11. Karl Marx
Father of Communism

12. Karl Marx
Introduction to
the Theories

13. Theories of Karl Marx
• The Law of Dialectical and Historical Materialism
• The Theory of Class Conflict
• Theory of Surplus
• Theory of Alienation
• Theory of Scientific Communism

14. Dialectical
Materialism

15. Dialectical Materialism
• Marx, Engels objected & rejected Hegel’s Idealist Interpretation
• Hegel, external reality exist in human mind
• Marx, nature & matter exist independent of mind
• Material life is primary, spiritual is secondary
• There is competition in economic infrastructure; force of production,
relations of production
Which came first?
 Idea or World
 World or Idea

16. Dialectic Modes of Production
1. Primitive mode of production
2. Ancient mode of production
3. Feudal mode of production
4. Capitalist mode of production
5. communist mode of production
Phenomenon have some laws
and patterns on basis of which
future can be predicted.
i.e.,
1. Communism, slave, feudal,
capitalism, …..?

17. Theory of Class
struggle

18. Theory of Class struggle
• Primitive Stage: Communist-classless society
• Ancient Stage: Masters vs Slave
• Feudal Stage: feudal lords vs landless serfs [peasants]
• Capitalist stage: Proletariat vs Bourgeoisie
• Communist Stage: Classless society

19. All stages have haves’ and have-nots’
Haves’
Have-
nots’
Communism

20. Theory of
Surplus

21. Theory of Surplus
?
 Surplus value is equal to the new value created by
workers in excess of their own labor-cost, which is
appropriated by the capitalist as profit when products are
sold.
 Pauperization: “Poverty is the result of exploitation,
not scarcity”, Marx.

22. Theory of
Alienation

23. Theory of Alienation
• Alienation means separation resulting from
hostility
• Alienation results in lose of interest in work, work
becomes an enforced activity, not creative and
satisfying one.

24. Socialism
Population collectively owns and control
means of production. The distribution
of results is proportional and reflects a
welfare society.

25. Socialism and its objectives
 Socialism Strengths
 Guarantee minimum standard of living “cradle to grave”
 Evens out differences - makes people more equal
 Workers enjoy full “fruit of labor”
 Full employment
 End of poverty
 Production is geared toward use not profit
 People have more control over their lives

26. Democratic Socialism
Under this system, people have basic human rights
and have some control over the government
officials through free election. - however, the
government does own the basic means of
production and makes most economic decisions.

27. What is Communism
Communism - a government where
people shared work fairly and were paid
equally.
The word “Communism” comes from
the Latin word “Communis” which
means common or belonging to all.

28.  1755 - industrial revolution
 1848 - Marx publishes Communist Manifesto
 1920 - U.S. and Russia become friends by Communism
 1922 - The U.S.S.R. forms
Historical Background

29. Communism
 A political system in which the government owns all property and
is ruled by one party with complete control over the economy.
 No private property will exist
 Every person will work for the welfare of all
 “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”

30. Goal of Communism
Social and Economic Equality
End of Social Classes
End of Capitalism

31. Characteristics of Communism
Classless and Division less
society
No state or Government
No Money based economy

32. Marxism can best be summarized as
under
Proletariat means workers and Bourgeoisie
Capitalist/owners
Conflict and Class Struggle
Revolution will led to communism and socialism
No Money or Concept of Private ownership

33. Gramscian: Antonio Gramsci
In his notes he tries to answer of the question
Q. Why had it proven to be so difficult to promote revolution in Western
Europe?
Ans.
 Use of the concept of hegemony
 Coercive practices and capabilities of the states
 Coercion kept alienated society from rising up and overthrowing the system

34. Bolshevik Revolution
Set USSR state in 1922
Communist party of Russia
End of Imperialism

35. Leninism
He suggest a Communist Party to establish
Communist State
Party System Through Leadership
Practical Ideology
 free off Utopianism.

36. Lenin; Class Struggle in not possible b/c of
Core and Peripheries
Core,
Friedman
Periphery,
Friedman
Semi-
Periphery,
Wallerstein

37. Friedman’s four level of Core & Periphery
Pre-industrial stage
Development of
core & periphery
Dispersion of
economic activities
in the periphery
The emergence of
spatial integration