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'''Marxism''' is a pseudointellectual movement developed by [[Karl Marx]], and is for all intents and purposes equivalent to [[Communism]]. Communism is the political implementation of Marxist ideology. Normally, liberals will point out that Marxism is not the same thing as [[Communism]], but this ignores the fact that Marx wrote [[The Communist Manifesto]], which was cited by [[Ronald Reagan]] as one of the most evil papers written in the history of mankind. [[Socialists]] also derive much of their ideology from Communism as envisioned by Marx.  

'''Marxism''' is a pseudointellectual movement developed by [[Karl Marx]], and is for all intents and purposes equivalent to [[Communism]]. Communism is the political implementation of Marxist ideology. Normally, liberals will point out that Marxism is not the same thing as [[Communism]], but this ignores the fact that Marx wrote [[The Communist Manifesto]], which was cited by [[Ronald Reagan]] as one of the most evil papers written in the history of mankind. [[Socialists]] also derive much of their ideology from Communism as envisioned by Marx.  

Marxist theory stresses that the working classes would rise up to overthrow the ruling elites who allegedly oppressed them.  One of the things that he did not foresee was the ability of governments, especially in [[Democracy|Democracies]], to change to find solutions for societal inequities.

Marxist theory stresses that the working classes would rise up to overthrow the ruling elites who allegedly oppressed them.  One of the things that he did not foresee was the ability of governments, especially in [[Democracy|democracies]], to change to find solutions for societal inequities.

==Soviet experience==

==Soviet experience==

According to the formal ideology of Marxism, private ownership (control) in industry is to be eliminated - control is to be wrested by the masses as a whole. The crucial revolutionary act, therefore, would presumably be the actual taking over of control in industry by the workers themselves. In the course of the [[Bolshevik]] revolution the workers ousted not only the owners but all the directing staff and supervisors: that is, they ousted also the managers. The workers thought, in their own way, that the revolution was designed to rid them of all rulers and exploiters. They recognized that the managers as well as the owners were among the rulers and exploiters both of the past and, above all, of the future. The workers set about running the factories themselves.  

According to the formal ideology of Marxism, private ownership (control) in industry is to be eliminated - control is to be wrested by the masses as a whole. The crucial revolutionary act, therefore, would presumably be the actual taking of control in industry by the workers themselves. In the course of the [[Bolshevik]] revolution the workers ousted not only the owners but all the directing staff and supervisors: that is, they ousted also the managers. The workers thought, in their own way, that the revolution was designed to rid them of all rulers and exploiters. They recognized that the managers as well as the owners were among the rulers and exploiters both of the past and, above all, of the future. The workers set about running the factories themselves.  

This state of affairs did not, however, last long. Two issues were at stake. In the first place, the separate factories and other instruments of production were not run very well under workers' control exercised at the source; and there were even greater difficulties in the co-ordination of the efforts of various factories. It is needless to speculate on exactly why this was so. Elected committees of the workers themselves, the members of which are subject to momentary recall and who have, besides, no technical training for, or background in, the managerial tasks, did not do a good job of running the factories, mines or railroads. It was even harder for them to collaborate in the theory of [[economic planning]] effectively to direct entire branches of industry. Workers' control would also mean the elimination of all privilege, or a 'classless society". The drive for class power needed to get rid of workers' control, and found justification in the inefficiency of workers' control.

This state of affairs did not, however, last long. Two issues were at stake. In the first place, the separate factories and other instruments of production were not run very well under workers' control; and there were even greater difficulties in the co-ordination of the efforts of various factories. It is needless to speculate on exactly why this was so. Elected committees of the workers themselves, the members of which are subject to momentary recall and who had no technical training for, or background in, the managerial tasks, did not do a good job of running the factories, mines or railroads. It was even harder for them to collaborate in the theory of [[economic planning]] effectively to direct entire branches of industry. Workers' control would also mean the elimination of all privilege, or a 'classless society". The drive for class power needed to get rid of workers' control, and found justification in the inefficiency of workers' control.

Hence workers' control was replaced by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin by the ''de facto'' managerial control in a new kind of state.  The "technical" direction of factory operations was turned over to "specialists", or managers, with the Factory Committees remaining in existence and still exercising substantial control through a veto power over the managers and jurisdiction over "labour conditions." Meanwhile, bureaus and commissions and individuals appointed from above by the Soviet regime were beginning to take over the job of co-ordinating the efforts of various factories and branches of industry. The powers of the managers and technicians increased at the expense of "workers' control" and the Factory Committees. The Factory Committee lost their veto powers. Their prerogative, "labour conditions," became more and more narrowly interpreted. The Committee composition was changed to include one state representative, one managerial representative, and one man nominally representing the workers. Finally, even these Committees lost all their real power and remained as mere formalities, to be dropped altogether in during the [[Great Purge]] of 1938.  

Hence workers' control was replaced by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin by the ''de facto'' managerial control in a new kind of state.  The "technical" direction of factory operations was turned over to "specialists", or managers, with the Factory Committees remaining in existence and still exercising substantial control through a veto power over the managers and jurisdiction over "labour conditions." Meanwhile, bureaus and commissions and individuals appointed from above by the Soviet regime were beginning to take over the job of co-ordinating the efforts of various factories and branches of industry. The powers of the managers and technicians increased at the expense of "workers' control" and the Factory Committees. The Factory Committee lost their veto powers. Their prerogative, "labour conditions," became more and more narrowly interpreted. The Committee composition was changed to include one state representative, one managerial representative, and one man nominally representing the workers. Finally, even these Committees lost all their real power and remained as mere formalities, to be dropped altogether in during the [[Great Purge]] of 1938.