Relevance of Marxism to Critical Theory - Essay Example

RELEVANCE OF MARXISM TO CRITICAL THEORY Relevance Of Marxism to Critical Theory Marxism is considered a different tradition in IR theory that disputes theories related to liberalism and realism. It functions as a limited and limiting theoretical world and views and is characterized by the conservative politics ideology. Its core principles are that it is a varied tradition that works to create or expand the work of the famous Karl Marx. Secondly, it engages on the principle of advancing on critical interpretation of the theory on capitalism and lastly, it campaigns for a relational and process-oriented understating of the life of human beings. According to Marxism, to understand the dialectical of history individuals should focus on the human agents which exist within relatively enduring social structures of which the agent reproduce or alter through their various actions. Moreover, it argues that the dialectical view of the society challenges the empiricist approaches used in the study of principles governing human and social life. In a much wider perspective, Marxism works to define politics in an expansive manner since politics is seen as struggle over the shaping of the kind of world we live and the identity of people we are (Rabaka, 2009). On the other hand, capitalism can be defined as a form of social life which is based on historically specific class relations between the class of people owning capital and those acting as wage laborers. In as much capitalism is considered to be productive but in away disabling, exploitative and undemocratic to those areas or sectors where it is being applied. Marxism further argues that capitalist accumulation is what drives major capitalist countries into colonial expansionism, creating the potential for inter-imperialist rivalry on a global scale. In making explanations for politics, Marxism and critical theory examines in details the structures of global capitalism and the ideologies and agents situated within the specific structures. It places emphasis on the capital driven nature of the state‘s action in the global capitalist systems and the need for states to maintain control of oil in order to maintain global capitalism in the world. An example is that from a Marxist critical theory, the war on terror should be understood in the context of ideology of economic security (Kellner, 1989). According to Karl Marx, socialist and dialectical theories Marxism, critical theory examines fictitious works as a manifestation of the societal foundations which plays a key role in their establishment (Pawling, 2013). Marxist views elements of literature as societal establishments because of their ideological roles focusing on the background and author’s ideology (Dahms, 2011). In light of this, Marxists shares an opinion that works of literature are not perfect because of the artistic nature or hard work of those composing them rather their efficacy is established from economic and ideological situations which are present at the moment. However, for those opposing the Marxist theory believes that literary works of artist and authors directly relate to the efficacy of their work and their standing in the society. This leads to give an interpretation of all works they come across based on their circumstances and issues being addressed by the works (Kaplan, 2003). In spite of Marx not laying major emphasis in writing literature in the society, his focus was directed towards examining and pointing out to the relationships which existed between determinism and societal establishment in various works he came across and wrote. An example is the ZurKritik der PolitischenÖkonomie (1859) where Marx talks of the form of production societal earthly riches by encompassing social, political and intellectual life processes (Nelson & Grossberg, 1987). The formation of critical theory is always based on the ethical content since that is the role they play in various elements. When critical theory is directed towards explaining Hegelian-Marxist ethic, then individuals would see proposals as elements which are based on the societal values of human beings in the society and at a much larger context (Rabaka, 2011).Therefore, an ideology which lays emphasis in bringing change to the existing institutions should guide the role of critical theory as far as Marxism is concerned. This means that the relevance of Marxism to critical theory should not be based on bais and artistic radicalism. Critical theory in relation to Marxism should examine works in more simple way and lay emphasis on being critical of what or who inspired the literature works in question (Dahms, 2011). New forms of critical approaches on capitalism examining different ways or avenues through which social norms are eroded acts as barriers on the progress of critically studying subjects. However, this is component is very important in the process of establishing new ideologies related to critical thinking. In addition, its raises interventions which may be used as solutions in the establishment of society’s way of life used as solutions or interventions for the negative effects capitalism has on a society.Think for a moment what would happen if we decide that we want our actions to be governed by the principles of ethical reflection what would become of us. The answer is that we would enslave ourselves to probabilities of contemptuous practices practiced and widely believed by the society. an example is that, when we stick to ethical reflections, things which the society believes but logically wrong would enslave even those who share a different opinion since different institutions formed as policies would restrict us to following the practices which are considered as praxis (Mclaughlin, 1996). Therefore, when individuals exhibit their ability of creating new beliefs to act as foundations for the practices and beliefs of the social provisions, then the efficacy of new social organization formed in the process with increased. In my opinion, the return of Hegelian theory is not as bad since western Marxism gives a new meaning to critical theory based on objectives set aside by the public institutions. The relevance of Marxism to critical theory is that it lays a basis for filling the needs and demands of human beings in the society. However, this has to be tactfully implemented because, its success is still hinged to problems pointed out by Georg Lukacs which was almost a century ago. The problem he raised was centered around the question “How to provide consciousness for those who are needed to build, politically the new institutions to be formed?” therefore, when a purpose is applied in creating ethics, then the result of this is that critical theory in relation to Marxism will be pushed to a different stage and its importance visible for the society to see (Brookfield, 2007). The reason behind the reasoning above is that in creating a criteria which is universally accepted and practiced, interventions or solutions on the elements of how people socials and relate as solutions on the structures of private enterprises. In additions, the new solutions also work in the development of personalities of individuals in the society.The ability to be able to know things or situations happening around an individual is normally based on the personality. An example is that there are certain individuals who are always agitated or quick to act on impulse therefore may easily fail to make an accurate judgment of the things surrounding or facing them. This largely connected to the ethical values existing or adopted in an institution or an establishment (Nickel, 2012). To effectively examine the relevance of Marxism on critical theory a succinct examination of content forming ethical claims should be keenly integrated into the concept. Use of a purposeful ethics ensures that all forms of ethical propositions are integrated based on the ability of individuals to take hold of current conditions and their ability to innate the social aspect of humanity. To easily explain how the instruments of social processes are formed and how they function in society, there must be a political will shown towards to the formed institutions to highlight on the importance and disadvantages of the aspect of formation of individualism and sociality in a society or a setting. However, political will should not be placed as the main basis of achieving this in a society, rather should be used as substitute for socialism and social democracy on the formation and capitalist market intent in destroying the laid out norms or principles governing freethinking individualism in a society or setting. To effectively understand the basis of human freedom, it is therefore important for individuals to grasp the instruments which steer self realization of an individual living in a society(Pawling, 2013). The Hegelian-Marxist theory illustrates that the issue of freedom to human is achieved only when an individuals successfully succeeds in his or her conflict of understanding self-realization and the characteristics determining societal relations in a society composed of the good and the bad. Therefore, attaining freedom is not an easy task because it encompasses knowing ones worth and identity amidst conflicts that they come across in their respective social structures (Flewelling, 2005).To understand the relevance of Marxism to critical theory, it is important to examine Marx essence of communication by accepting that the formation of human beings is based on social totality as they are considered to be the face of their social world hence an atom operating within the context of the social world. It is therefore of utmost importance that objective ethics should conceive a sense of value which is capable of showing individuals directions in their understanding of the different elements forming the world. In light of all these sensible activities are therefore threatened by ideologies that should work towards enforcing moral values guiding an institution area of control. However, institutions can make this work by specifying and constructing new techniques of institutions that have the capability of increasing or expanding how individuals interact with one another in an institution. Neo-Marxism was a concept that was formed to try and find solutions to the questions which were earlier raised by Karl Marx in his previous works. It works as an accomplice to the conventional Marxist theory hence when applied is an amendment of he Karl theory in question (West & West, 2010). In conclusion, Marxism can not be considered as a domestic theory as well as an economic theory since it is not categorized anywhere as an economically deterministic. Some theorist has been pessimistic about the role of Marxism and critical theory in contemporary world politics, but they are forgetting that a new social movement connects capitalism to countries which considers themselves as developed countries (Cunningham,1997). References KELLNER, D. (1989). Critical theory, Marxism, and modernity. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press. RABAKA, R. (2009). Africana critical theory: reconstructing the black radical tradition, from W.E.B. Du Bois and C.L.R. James to Frantz Fanon and Amilcar Cabral. Lanham, Md, Lexington Books. PAWLING, C. (2013). Critical Theory and Political Engagement From May 1968 to the Arab Spring. New York, Palgrave Macmillan. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1249620. FLEWELLING, C. K. (2005). 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