Differences between Western Marxism and Orthodox Marxism - Outline Example

Differences between western Marxism and Orthodox Marxism Introduction Marxism as a school of thought is a structural analysis of the society. The theory was first advanced by Karl Marx though other thinkers have also made their mark. Marxism, a critique of capitalist society, presents a theoretical analysis of nature of social existence. One outstanding characteristic of Marxism is its elevation of economic relationships above other social relationships such as political and ideological (Smith and Riley 2011, p.40). Marxists argue that the economic base/infrastructure is the foundation of cultural, political and ideological relationships (superstructure of society). Marxism holds that social relationships derive from production of primary means of people’s existence such as food, clothing, and shelter. Apart from the production, distribution, and exchange of means of social existence, a multi- play of factors is present. These factors eventually herald antagonism within society (Glasser and Walker 2007, p.18). Marx dispelled the notion that the society was harmonious. In fact, he held that conflict within the society is either apparent or obscured. Conflict within the social system arises from three issues, namely: forces of production, relations within the production, and the ways of production. Social classes emerge from unequal, exploitative relationships within the society. Bourgeoisie (ruling class) own the means of production while the Proletariat, who are poor and work for the Ruling class. Marx argued that the inequalities and conflict of interest between the social classes brings about social change. Marx also argued that the working class were in a false consciousness assuming that the economic system is built on freedom, fairness, and equality. Meanwhile, the Bourgeoisie utilize the power derived from ownership of means of production to control how the working class interprets their situation. Marx argued that overtime; the working class will eventually rise against the ruling class leading to the creation of a socialist society (Jacoby 2002, p.13). Orthodox Marxism Orthodox Marxism emerged after death of Marx and seeks to abridge, codify, and organize Marxist thought. Orthodox Marxism lays emphasis on concepts such as the method of creation of goods, forces within production, separation of labour, ideology, and class struggles. Orthodox Marxism was the overriding philosophy during second international, up to First World War and thereafter. Its quest is to resolve the apparent ambiguities and inconsistencies within classical Marxism. Orthodox Marxism builds on critiques of capitalism, classical economics, and liberalism. Orthodox Marxism borrows heavily from Engel’s ideas on scientific socialism (Glasser and Walker 2007, p.103). The emergence of Orthodox Marxism can be attributed to pioneering publications of Friedrich Engels particularly Dialectics of Nature and Socialism: Utopian and Scientific (1883). These publications made Marx’s work systematic by applying primary query of philosophy. Orthodox Marxism developed critical theories of capitalism, socialism models, and theories of modernity which incorporated aspects such as social theory and political economy. Of these, significant emphasis was laid on the importance of economics and political analysis. According to Orthodox Marxism, the economic aspect of society bears effect on the culture and ideology of the society. This in turn, secures control of ruling social groups. The superstructure model advanced by Orthodox Marxism considers the economy as the foundation of the society. Political, legal, and cultural aspects within society are considered as superstructures that surface from and help to strengthen the economic base i.e. the mode of production in a society profiles the character of political and legal institutions. Bottomore and Miliband contend that, Orthodox Marxism stipulates that cultural ideas advance the welfare of the bourgeoisie availing ideologies that justify class domination (1991, p.583). Other thinkers who made significant contributions include George Plekhanov, Karl Kautsky, and Vladimir Lenin. The latter ideologies on Marxism are known as Leninism. The Marxism of Third International is grounded in Orthodox Marxism with ideologies on dialectical materialism as well as historical materialism been outstanding. Characteristics of Orthodox Marxism Orthodox Marxism can be traced to theoretical approaches of historical materialism with the mode of production providing comparative framework for varying social formations. Orthodox Marxism holds that Marxism scientific and that the economic base influences the superstructure. Orthodox Marxism has developed unique theories of state, class, revolution, human nature, alienation, and ideology (Frederic 1973, p.308). Orthodox Marxism also endeavours to transform Marxism into a complete system that responds to prevailing knowledge. Orthodox Marxism also holds that open class struggles are political struggles, which contradicts classical economists’ assertions. Orthodox Marxism also pursues ideology in light of false consciousness holding that socialist revolutions are acts of a majority. Western Marxism Western Marxism refers to Marxist scholarship prominent in the 1920’s. Western Marxism was inspired by the crisis of the socialist workers after the disintegration of Second International amid defeat of revolutions in Central and Southern Europe. Western Marxists constructed Marxian theories of culture, social institutions, the state, and Psychology. Its main contentions revolve around voluntarism as well as reading Marx as a humanist thinker (Cuff, Sharrock and Francis 2005, p.184). Western Marxism significant emphasis is on Marx’s social theory though they critically weigh up some of ideas and methodologies used. Western Marxism initially materialized as critiques to Engelsian and Leninist versions of Marxism. Western Marxism emphasizes the importance of two ideas: estrangement and totality. These concepts arose from Gyorgy Luk`acs publication, History and Class Consciousness: Studies in Marxist Dialectics (1923). These writings were in defense of Orthodox Marxism but ended up providing ideologies to be used by Western Marxists. This was a marked shift from pure economic analysis to other cultural phenomena such as literature, art, and music. Western Marxism was prompted by the failure of socialist revolution within the western world and yearned to develop a more refined view of politics. The thinkers were much interested in philosophical interpretations dwelling on cultural and historical studies rather than political and economic practices. Later on, Western Marxism relegated the significance of traditional Marxism in modern western societies. The theory has been divorced from revolutionary practice and realities of working class politics (Glasser and Walker 2007, p.113). Western Marxists also sought to explain the failure of Marx’s hopes and predictions. For instance, the collapse of capitalism arising from proletariat revolution had not materialized. Characteristics of western Marxism Western Marxism downplays the importance of economic analysis in Marxism. It mainly focuses on abstract and philosophical elements of Marxism. Jacoby (2002, p.9) observes that, Western Marxists are not motivated in understanding Marxism as a purely social theory rather they interpret Marxism as theory of practice. Western Marxism faulted the idea advanced by Engels, which holds that Marxism is an integrated, scientific doctrine that can be overall applied to nature. Western Marxism viewed Marxism as a critique of human life rather than a general science. Another characteristic of Western Marxism is its failure to focus on Marxism’s central socioeconomic claims particularly economic determinism. Western Marxism was able to transform the cultural hegemony of the bourgeoisie with the totality of capitalist social relations. Differences between Orthodox Marxism and Western Marxism Both Western and Orthodox Marxism points out the function proletarian consciousness. Orthodox Marxism laid a lot of emphasis on economics and politics while Western Marxism’s main focus was on culture, social consciousness, and ideology. Orthodox Marxism placed class struggle at the core of Marxism (Frederic 1973, p.305). Western Marxism, on the other hand, relegated the importance class struggle and self emancipation of the working class. Orthodox Marxism championed technological success linked with capitalism viewing it as indispensable to socialism progress. Western Marxism, on the other hand, noted that technology did not produce crises that Marx had described and invariably could not lead to a revolution. Western Marxist saw the principal idea of Marxism and the object of knowledge as social totality where the true identity of things is availed by their relationship to the whole. Western Marxists interpreted Marx’s key lesson as that the whole determinedly comes before the parts and that mediations links the parts to the whole (Smith and Riley 2011, p.37). Hence, they Orthodox Marxists claim of consciousness by economic settings as untrue. Western Marxists dispel Orthodox Marxist notion that one part can determine the form of all the others. In fact, they label this notion as un-Marxist. Western Marxism critique Orthodox Marxism positivist/empiricism approach, which stress the primacy of facts. According to Western Marxists, facts are plainly individual items that evidence features of reality in a manner that detach them from their true identity. Consequently, if the facts are not viewed as corresponding to that totality, they are misconstrued. Basing their arguments on precepts of social theory and methodology, Western Marxism question self-evident assumptions prominent in Orthodox Marxism especially Marx’s and Engel’s theories. The major highlight of this critique is Orthodox Marxism’s neglect of subject-object dialectic as well as its thoughts on the dialectic of nature. Western Marxism supports philosophical idealism whereas Orthodox Marxism is grounded in positivism (Smith and Riley 2011, p.30). Western Marxism mainly underlines direct action on the part of the proletariat with less emphasis on historical stages or structural constraints. Another distinguishing factor between the two approaches lays in Western Marxism denouncement of Orthodox Marxism interpretations of base-superstructure metaphor i.e. the relationship between the economic base and the superstructure of the society. The greatest dispute lies in instrumental approaches adopted by Orthodox Marxism as opposed to structuralist reproduction approaches that Western Marxism adopted. Western Marxism took issue with the reductive character of Orthodox Marxism, which interpreted social life as nothing more than economic interests. Orthodox Marxism held that if people were to understand any social phenomenon, they should probe objective class interests animating it. Western Marxism, on the other hand, argues that the base-structure relation is more composite with functional relations that afford some autonomy of cultural factors. Reference List Bottomore, T, Harris, L & Miliband, R 1991, A dictionary of Marxist thought, London, Blackwell. p583. Cuff, C, Sharrock, W & Francis, W 2005, Perspectives in Sociology, New York, Routledge. p184. Frederic, L 1973, Marxism East and West: Lenins Revisions of Orthodox Marxism and Their Significance for Non-Western Revolution, Philosophy East and West 23 (3), p.299-313. Glasser, D & Walker, M 2007, Twentieth-century Marxism: A global introduction, New York, Routledge. p99-113 Jacoby, R 2002, Dialect of defeat: Contours of western Marxism, London, Cambridge University Press. p9 Smith, P and Riley, A 2011, Cultural theory, London, Blackwell. p30 Read More