How does Karl Marx view society?

Answer 1

Karl Marx created a philosophical and sociological critique of capitalism that was transformed into a number of different political and philosophical movements. His theories have had a tremendous impact on the modern world, surpassed only by (perhaps) those of Darwin and Freud.

Marx' critique of capitalism made the following argument

* that capitalism, despite it's egalitarian language, is simply another form of class-based society, where social classes are are determined not by bloodline (as in aristocratic systems) or control of simple property (as in feudalism), but through ownership of the tools needed for production. * that capitalism, unlike other class societies, allows for near-total control (called wage-slavery) over lower classes, since no one is able to acquire even the basic necessities of food and shelter except through the use of those tools owned by the capitalist class. * that this situation can only result in ever-increasing exploitation of the lower classes, until sheer starvation forces them to revolt. Marx' own work was primarily philosophical, pointing out that so long as class distinctions persist, exploitation will continue unchecked, with misery and social upheaval as the inevitable result.

Marx himself never actually suggested revolution (he saw it more as a logical result of exploitation rather than an action to be taken). but politically, Marx' theory spawned a number of actual revolutionary movements (communism, socialism, Marxism, and a number of currently forgotten ones such as syndicalism), which in their various ways attempted to overthrow and remove the capitalist class from social and political power. The impact of movements of this sort can be seem everywhere in the world: from actual communist and socialist nations to minimum-wage laws, welfare assistance, labor unions, and other working-class protections in ostensibly capitalist societies. most of these are still highly contentious. communist societies tend towards totalitarianism, and are often criticized for their inability to stamp out social classes or improve quality of life for their populaces. unions, welfare, and minimum wage laws are often attacked from both the far left and the far right: the far right sees them as inhibitions to market forces, while the far left sees them as sops designed to keep the lower classes from getting too miserable while the capitalist class continues its exploitation.

philosophically, Marx' theories influenced a wide range of modern social and political theory. most European social theory (including those that were imported into the US during WWII, such as the Frankfurt School theorists) is deeply concerned with the difficulties of integrating capitalism and democratic processes, the various forms of post-modernism largely utilize Marx' analytical style, and most of the civil rights theorists have adopted class language (usually in the form of a white, european, or male 'class' which dominates and exploits classes composed of people of color, colonial regions, or women).

Answer 2

This is a question that obviously can't be answered definitively. Due to the philosophical and political nature of his works, the merit can be debated. That said, there is some (more or less) general consensus at least among 'Western' society. The economic adaptation of Marx's work, as seen in the USSR is generally seen as negative. The laws of motion, on which his entire notion of economy is based, is generally regarded as logically flawed, and Marx's predictions of an impending revolution of the workers has never occured and is showing no signs of doing so in the future. Increased mechanization has in fact improved the overall standard of living instead of leading to a large "reserve army of the unemployed".
These criticisms notwithstanding, Marx's work should not be entirely disregarded. Even though the increasing use of machines as form of labor have not led to the massive social upheaval Marx predicted, the phenomenon of technological unemployment is very real. Shortcomings in the provision of public goods, economic inequality, and the increasing concentration of wealth were all issues Marx did well to address. Even if one does not agree with Marx's vision of how to allay these socio-economic problems, one should be wary not to wholeheartedly embrace capitalism as though there were a binary decision between choosing a capitalist or a Marxist Socialist system.

So in a nutshell, even though Marx does not seem to have been right in all his predictions of the downfall of capitalism due to its perceived internal flaw, his criticisms were valid. He correctly identified issues such as business cycles and technological unemployment, and putting them in the spotlight and creating a reason for debate can be seen as a service to society. By challenging capitalism, Marx led many a capitalist to rethink the system and gave them incentive to improve it, even if only to counter the communist threat.

Answer 3

Karl Marx felt that society was the struggle between one class of people against another. In "The Communist Manifesto" he states that the nature of all recorded history is one of class struggle depending on the means of production of each society at different times in history.

In present times it was bourgeoisie (owners and controllers of means of production and employers of workers) against proletarians (industrialized workers who own nothing but the ability to sell their own labor).

Other eras pitted master against apprentice or lord against peasant. Each class was determined by the materialist nature of the era, in other words, by the nature of the means of production, who owned them and who simply worked at them.

Answer 4

He didn't.

Marx opened the eyes of many people who were being exploited without truly even knowing about it. Many people felt their impoverished lives were merely their lot in life, but Marx made many people understand that society was a struggle of one class (bourgeoisie) against another (proletariat) and that they would eventually overcome their oppressors if they united and overthrew the bourgeoisie.

Answer 5

Karl Marx viewed society as driven by class struggle between the ruling bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the working proletariat. He believed that capitalism leads to exploitation and alienation of the working class. Marx's ultimate goal was to create a classless society where the means of production are owned collectively.

Answer 6

Karl Marx believed that society was defined by a class struggle between the ruling class and the working class. Marx believed the working class would revolt and form a classless society.

Answer 7

Marx made important studies of economics, history and the working-class movement.

Answer 8

How did Karl Marx describe society?

Answer 9

he killed people