Is there anything of value in 'the Marxist theory of the state'?

Answer 1

The question is a confusing one because under communism according to Marx, there is no state.

This seems to be a common misconception, the state is a power centre that represents the powerful elite ruling class.

Marxism seeks to put the power in the hands of the producers, who have no say in what is being produced but have no say in what is made.

The detrimental effects of capitalism, according to Marx, will force the workers to seize the means of production.

Once production is seized the workers control what is being made, each to their need & ability.

Socialism is the transition stage from capitalism to communism. It can not be sustained and it was never meant to be. Socialism is the point when the workers will seize the means of production before communism can take place.

Many don't understand this and make the mistake of equating socialism as some sort of off-shoot of communism which is false. There were others at a later date, like Lenin, who tired to prolong this transition stage but was not exactly successful.

As it stands no country has successfully implemented communism. It could be argued, and very strongly, that capitalism has never been properly implemented

Answer 2

The Marxist theory of the state emphasizes that the state serves to maintain the interests of the ruling class. It provides a critical analysis of how political institutions and laws are used to perpetuate class inequality and exploitation. This perspective can offer insights into power dynamics and social structures in capitalist societies.

Answer 3

For Karl Marx the "state" can be defined based on its characteristics and by whom the state is controlled. Marx studied the numerous types of historical states. He determined that by class struggle, the state evolves into another form when the exploited class overthrows the ruling class. This is a general answer in that the question does not define which state Marx may have analyzed or what the composition of future states might consist of. In his lifetime Marx sees the modern state as one that is controlled by wealthy capitalists who exploit their workers in order to maximize their profits.