Marxism is a political and economic theory founded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that analyzes class relations and societal conflict using a materialist interpretation of historical development. The theory aims to establish a communist society without private property through empowering the proletariat, and it influenced governments in early 20th century European countries as well as the USSR and North Korea. Marxism has branches including communism, socialism, collectivism, Leninism, and Bolshevism.