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'''Marxism''' is an revolutionary movement developed by the Jewish historian/economist [[Karl Marx]] and by the German political scientist [[Friedrich Engels]].  Marx's approach is indicated by the opening line of the Communist Manifesto (1848): “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”. Marx believed that [[capitalism]], like previous socioeconomic systems, would produce internal tensions which would lead to its destruction. Just as capitalism replaced [[feudalism]], capitalism itself will be displaced by [[communism]], a classless society which would emerge after a transitional period in which the state would be nothing else but the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat.  

'''Marxism''' is an revolutionary movement developed by the German scholar and activist [[Karl Marx]] and his collaborator [[Friedrich Engels]].  Marx's approach is indicated by the opening line of the Communist Manifesto (1848): “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”. Marx believed that [[capitalism]], like previous socioeconomic systems, would produce internal tensions which would lead to its destruction. Just as capitalism replaced [[feudalism]], capitalism itself will be displaced by [[communism]], a classless society which would emerge after a transitional period in which the state would be nothing else but the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat.  

[[Communism]], in a broad sense, is the political manifestation of Marxist philosophy.  Communism was never firmly defined outside of the communist manifesto, allowing leaders such as [[Lenin]] and [[Mao]] to specifically tailor it to their expediant political needs. Communism grew in popularity in the late 19th century western industrial democracies before taking revolutionary root in Russia.  However, rising working standards coupled with a growing middle class severely stunted the communist movement in Western Europe and North America. A world communist state like Marx envisioned was never realized.

see [[Socialism]]

 

 

==Soviet experience==

===Soviet experience===

According to the formal ideology of Marxism, private ownership 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. 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 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. 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.  

[[Category:Communism]]

[[Category:Communism]]

[[Category:Worldviews]]

[[Category:Worldviews]]