The Impact of Marxs Interpretation of History during His Early Career Years - Essay Example

Module Module ID: How does Marx's interpretation of history affect his political ideology?The present paper concentrates upon exploring the impact of Marx’s interpretation of history during his early career years on the establishment of his political ideology in the future life to go. One of the most imperative reasons behind making an investigation into the topic afore-mentioned includes the evaluation of the political ideology articulated by Marxist perspective while seeking its association with Marx’s viewpoint on historical developments man has observed since the primitive times till the Marx’s era of Industrial Revolution. Though earlier works created by Marx seem to be advocating the scientific and technological development by taking it to be beneficial for the growth of human societies through his political ideology (156-7); nevertheless, his later works looks opposing the same partly because of the increase in exploitation of proletariat by bourgeoisie in the wake of industrial developments taking place in society (324). Somehow, instead of censuring the development, Marx aims to defy the evils the development had brought along with it. Since the political, social, economic, cultural and religious environment under which man is brought up and experiences the socialization process leaves an indelible imprints on his ideological thoughtfulness, the initial era cognitive development and thoughts keep on influencing his outlook and opinion on the one side, and regulating his actions and behavior on the other; the same is equally applied to the set of political and socioeconomic beliefs maintained by this distinguished philosopher and Father of Socialism i.e. Karl Marx (1817-1883). Born in the culturally divided Prussian state of Europe, Marx personally noticed the existence of the state of conflict between the social classes, which helped the young philosopher to examine the prevailing circumstances within the historical background of human societies. Instead of adopting the notion that the development of human societies was an outcome of the growth of the rule of law or man’s cognitive development, Marx declares it actually the result of material conditions of life (3). The improvement of material conditions of life, according to Marx, simply refers to the development of means of production actually, which play decisive role in enhancing the political and economic conditions as well as intellectual growth of the individuals and societies, which he has also described in his letter to Kreuznach (12). In addition to this, the latest modes of productions, Marx elucidates, not only increase the productivity to an imperative extent, but also pave the way towards the exploration of further avenues of productivity in the wake of the advent of technological advancements (153). Consequently, Marx’s initial years political ideology appears to be providing an unconditional support to the advent of industrial growth taking place within his social surroundings. Somehow, this great German thinker has aptly viewed the rapid flow of industrialization to be detrimental for the peace and stability of society in his later work(s). The claim was actually the outcome of the disadvantages the industrialization had introduced in society by allowing the domination of the investors as the owner of all production units in the Marx’s contemporary European societies. Since the proletariat used to work from dawn to dusk in the production activities of the industrial units, and hence maintained major share in income and profit generation, they certainly deserved the same proportion of share in profit volume (341). However, the lion’s share went to the producer/owner of the industry, according to Marx, without offering any benefits necessary for improving the condition of the workers altogether (376). Such a perturbed state of affairs not only invites disappointment of the workers, but also sense of alienation started haunting the minds of the workers, leading towards the evident conflict between the investors and workers eventually. Consequently, Marx’s later political ideological perspective appears to be revolving around the class conflict phenomenon, which claims a constant state of rivalry between bourgeoisie i.e. affluent investors and producers on the one side, and proletariat or workers and laborers on the other, due to the exploitation of the latter at the hands of the former to which Marx believe to be haves-not and haves respectively (417). The development of such a conflict ideology was partly because of the socioeconomic and political circumstances had been in vogue at some stage in Marx’s youth i.e. during the mid of nineteenth century. It is therefore, Marx strongly defies the suppression of the freedom of thought and action the political authorities used to practice in Germany, which is in sharp contrast to the points he has raised in favor of scientific inventions, democratic state of government and free economic system in general. Marx has focused his consideration on the socioeconomic processes experienced by the human generations, the reflection of which could be found in his political ideology. In his Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right (1843), Marx has contradicted Hegel’s idealism doctrine, by projecting the contributions made by materialism for the development of human society (18-20). Here, Marx claims to be seeking support from empirical and scientific methodologies, which, according to him, had not observed by Hegel in his doctrine. Hence, Marx partly looks carrying out the cause of scientific methods and inventions as well, to which he later demonstrates apathy and even antipathy and strong displeasure (431). In addition to this, Marx has defended modern political system i.e. democracy, by preferring it to monarchy and dictatorship, under which the people enjoy themselves with the freedom of thought and action; hence, he had advocated the developments free socioeconomic system offers to man (23). Similarly, Marx’s On the Jewish Question also reflects his preliminary political ideology as a young man, where he strives for making the subjects to be responsible to the state while adhering to their religious affiliations. In other terms, the state should be free to regulate the religious beliefs and practices of the masses (27-44); which is explicitly contradictory to the freedom of thought he later demands through his Das Capital and other works and treatises at large. Nevertheless, Marx has always projected the cause of workers in his initial works as well (71-74), the stance with which he adhered to for the rest of his life. Hence, he appears to be condemning the exploitation of the proletariat that had been in vogue during the Marx’s age. The era actually reflected the fast inclusion of most modern modes and methods of production in the agricultural and industrial sectors of society in the wake of the advent of remarkable eighteenth century Industrial Revolution. It was the time when significant alterations were being witnessed in various areas of the European cultures, which appeared to be completing their journey of getting converted from the agricultural societies into the industrial ones. As a result, the masses had got orientation with the techniques that could multiply the production process by working with the help of machines instead of long, dreary and tiresome manual labor that used to take far more time in comparison than the one then recently invented machines consumed. Consequently, the financial growth was certain to observe rapid increase, and same was also actually the case. However, there could not be found, according to Marx, any positive impacts of industrial revolution at the grass-root scale in society. On the contrary, the outcomes of the progress and prosperity appeared to be confined to the elite stratum; and the middle and lower classes experienced a continuous downfall that would lead to the ruination and collapse/elimination of these classes eventually. To conclude, it becomes evident that Karl Marx has vehemently supported the advent of Industrial revolution of 1750, and its outcomes and effects on the political, social, cultural and economic activities of the European subjects. In addition to this, Marx has also applauded the democratic political system by viewing it to be a structure under which humans are offered the freedom of thought and action on the one side, and bright opportunities with regards to embark upon the economic activities of their choice on the other. Somehow, these thoughts maintained by this distinguished philosopher during the initial years of his career actually reflected the existing circumstances that could impress and inspire all and sundry. It was the era of socio-cultural change, and intellectual growth had also witnessed a tremendous growth. The epoch also observed the rise and popularity of Darwin’s distinguished Evolution Theory (1859), which had also concentrated upon the biological evolutionary phases of human generations. In addition to this, the stance made by the German thinker in respect of government’s having check on the religious preferences of the subjects also contradict his later views on religious freedom. Somehow, Marx had realized the curses, drawbacks and disadvantages the fast-spreading industrialization had brought about in the European societies, which were not quite evident immediately after industrialization had obtained popularity. Somehow, the mid of nineteenth century explicitly revealed how industrial revolution was projecting and promoting capitalism and class discrimination in society, where the gulf of differences between the individuals belonging to the divergent socioeconomic statuses would observe an insurmountable expansion for the future decades to go. Moreover, Marx’s earlier works also reflect his love, care and dedication to the workers and peasants; it is therefore, his partial support to the blessings of industrialization could not be stated to be the reflection of his stance for the capitalism or its beneficiary elite stratum i.e. bourgeoisie at any cost. Works Cited Marx, Karl. A Critique to the Contribution of Political Economy Marx, Karl. & Engels, Frederich. The German Ideology Read More