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Question: How did Marx think the end of Capitalism would happen!?
The 'philosophy' of marxism is described as dialectical materialism!. In dialectical materialism, a 'thing' will, over the course of time, fall victim to its internal contradictions and will begin to disintegrate!. this 'thing' will eventually be superseded by a new 'thing' that has been successful in resolving the internal contradictions of the old 'thing'!.
Could you do two things for me!?
a) Tell me if I have I understood dialectical materialism and if not give me the correct 'abstract' definition!.
b) Give me a 'practical' description of this process by describing to me how Marx thought Capitalism would give way to Communism or at least the initial phase of Communism!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
a) I think it is too basic, perhaps you read Mao's essay 'On Contradiction'!. I think it is good philosophical essay on Marxist dialectical- materialism!. In your definition, you have mentioned only 'dialectical' aspect but not ‘materialism’!.
Let me try:
1) It is not the 'idea' (God), which created the 'matter’!. The matter created the 'idea' !.Materialism explains the existence as- matter first idea later!. Idealism or the religions explain it in opposite manner!.
2) Dialectics explains the 'development' of matter!. It means- one divides into two!. You talked about this aspect!. However, the 'new' thing is not 'external' factor; it is 'internal’!. External factors are helping factors!. They help the internal contradictions to take shape!.
b) This part of your question is related to 'historical materialism'- a branch of 'dialectical materialism'!.
The capitalist society itself took birth by destroying feudal society!. The present day 'developed world' has passed through this violent process - which Marx named 'bourgeois revolutions'!.
At that time- according to Marx, Capitalism played a progressive role in the development of society!. However, the new society had its own contradictions!. The basic contradiction of Capitalism is- Production is social but ownership is private!. This contradiction is to be resolved by proletarian revolution!.
Marx is related to the period when the capitalist society was in its initial phase!. Lenin led it to new heights when capitalism entered into phase of imperialism!. Mao developed this theory in colonial societies where feudal contradictions are yet to be resolved!.
As regards to practical 'description’, I think better stay away!
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Your description of dialectical materialism matches with what i believe it to be!.
I believe Marx thought that one economic system would give way to another as the majority of citizens start to believe in a better way of living!. Marx did not think that communism could ever be something that is forced upon a society by a minority, hence the fact that 'communism' as we have seen it has never been genuine communism as Marx imagined it, just corrupt dictatorships!.
In very basic terms Marx imagined the working class would realise that capitalism was not working for them but only for a small minority of the ruling class and the working class would force a new economic system that does work for them (and everyone equally) probably by violent revolution!.
It should be noted that Marx had little to say about what a communist society would look or feel like once the change has taken place but he did have a lot to say about the imperfections and inequality of the current capitalist society!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Do you remember Andrew Jackson!? I assume Marx thought a man with more power and similar thinking would come along, and end it!.
I don't know too much about Marxism!. Why!? I don't need to!.
Whether I know what he said and taught or not, I can learn everything he has learned and/or taught on my own!. And in the end!. That better helps me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Marxism is a failure - Eg!., Russia, China, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia etc!. In India the left ruled states are the one which are industrially backward!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
To Go Forward sometimes you must first go backWww@QuestionHome@Com