Marxist Philosophy: The Dialectical Process - Assignment Example

Like Hegel Marx dialectical materialism perceives human progress as an upward spiral process that begins with a single concept (the thesis), which always arouses its very opposite (an antithesis). The interaction of the two, Marx argues, creates some form of tension (synthesis); a kind of stage where the ideas presented in the above two scenarios are refined with the incorporation of elements from either side, resulting in a new concept [new thesis], which is literally more advanced than the original concept [thesis]. Simply stated, Marxist dialectics see human progress as a conflict-directed process, always in a state of constant development/motion, leading to superior levels of interactive mechanisms.

An inverted form of Hegel's dialectic, Marx explains that the key to changes witnessed in history is not in the operative mechanics of the human mind, but in the material life guided by the system of production; that the very ideas of the mind are but consciously shaped by the material life, for people must produce the necessities of life before engaging in anything else such as politics. In other words, the superstructure of human life rests on the economic relations within the society, and that capitalism, like any other economic system that has been in existence, is only but a transitional force towards a more superior economic system.

Capitalist societies, according to Marx's theory, have two major social classes: the propertied, which he describes as the Bourgeoisie – owning the means of production and the propertyless, which he describes as the proletariat—owning little or no property and working for wages. The two classes, Marx argues, are dependent upon each other in that while the former needs the latter to provide their labor in the production of goods and services from which they derive their profits, the latter depends much on the former for their income in order to survive. The relationship, is, however, based upon exploitation, with the bourgeoisie deriving supernormal/large profits as they increasingly depress wages with increased worked hours, in effect, causing work Marx describes as alienation; a condition of poor housing, poor education and in deteriorating health.

As Marx observes, however, "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles". He argued that capitalism contains internal contradictory forces, more particularly the exploitative processes that will ultimately lead to it collapsing apart under its own weight, for as contradictions become more glaring, class consciousness among the proletariat will increase, thus, igniting revolutions in demand for better and equal terms in a classless society, free of domination, subordination, coercion, exploitation and political conflicts; a synthesis of a kind, whose description can immediately be described as socialism, ending the conflicts altogether.

There is no doubt whosoever that the inspiration that Marx left behind to the later generations, more so with regards to the current political climate, remains enormous. His dialectical materialism offers a powerful tool for analyzing every facet of contemporary culture that includes the very process of globalization. He, however, misread the proletariat [the middle class]; revolutions emanate from the peasants, and not the proletariat. It is also clear that even if capitalism were to be rooted out altogether, enormous challenges would still exist leading to conflicts; Russia has been and is a sampling regime accused of domination with lots of internal leadership challenges. Last but not least, the capitalist west seemed to have become even more secure in the 21st century contrary to Marx’s assertions that such regimes would fall under the weight of their own wealth.