Marxism

[ mahrk-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. the system of economic and political thought developed by Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, especially the doctrine that the state throughout history has been a device for the exploitation of the masses by a dominant class, that class struggle has been the main agency of historical change, and that the capitalist system, containing from the first the seeds of its own decay, will inevitably, after the period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, be superseded by a socialist order and a classless society.

Marxism

/ ˈmɑːksɪzəm /

noun

1. the economic and political theory and practice originated by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that holds that actions and human institutions are economically determined, that the class struggle is the basic agency of historical change, and that capitalism will ultimately be superseded by communism

Marxism

¹

1. The doctrines of Karl Marx (see also Marx ) and his associate Friedrich Engels on economics, politics, and society. They include the notion of economic determinism — that political and social structures are determined by the economic conditions of people. Marxism calls for a classless society ( see class ), where all means of production are commonly owned, a system to be reached as an inevitable result of the struggle between capitalists and workers. ( See communism .)

Marxism

²

1. The doctrines of Karl Marx (see also Marx ) and his associate Friedrich Engels on economics , politics, and society. They include the notion of economic determinism — that political and social structures are determined by the economic conditions of people. Marxism calls for a classless society in which all means of production are commonly owned ( communism ), a system to be reached as an inevitable result of the struggle between the leaders of capitalism and the workers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Marxism¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; Marx + -ism

Example Sentences

To be doubly certain, I consulted a leading historian of American Marxism, Paul Buhle, a retired lecturer at Brown University.

From Los Angeles Times

Marxism is known for socialism, and socialism is often described as the exploitation of the working class.

From Salon

By 1968, they had built a substantial local following and were influenced by Marxism, the White Panthers, the Beats and other social-political movements.

From Seattle Times

"But nonetheless, he turned very much against the Church, embraced secular life, rejected God and embraced Bolshevism and Marxism."

From BBC

"What I'm talking about in the book is very closely intertwined with what I call cultural Marxism," Cruz says.

From Salon

Related Words

• socialism