The Prussian philosopher Karl Marx (1818-1883) is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 19th century (History Guide, n. pag.). In the mid-19th century, Marx and German philosopher Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) founded Marxism, a body of thought that emphasizes the important role of class struggle in understanding society’s development from capitalism to a socialist and ultimately classless society (Answers, n. pag.). Some Marxists argue that economic determinism is one of Marxism’s key tenets; this theory posits that economic factors determine non-economic spheres such as politics, religion, and ideology (Stillman, n. pag.).
Economic determinism, according to Marx, argues that the supreme instinct in man is self-preservation (Spiritus-Temporis, n. pag.). Therefore, human behavior is entirely influenced by the basic laws of survival (Spiritus-Temporis, n. pag.). Man’s inclination towards survival is so intense that history itself has become a timeline for which man has shown increasing tenacity to exercise this instinct (Spiritus-Temporis, n. pag.). In the context of Marxism, this translates to the bourgeoisie creating capitalism as a new social and economic order to protect their property-owning interests. However, the oppressed proletariat will rise up and overthrow capitalism and replace it with a supposedly classless society.
The belief in economic determinism among the proletariat, particularly the worker, as a social messiah,” has led to the interpretation that Marxism is an “atheized version of chiliastic eschatology” (Patton, n. pag.). Some historians argue that “both Marx and Engels were strongly influenced by British millenarianism of the 1840s” (Patton, n. pag.). Millenarianism refers to the idea of a thousand-year reign of peace and prosperity that will be established upon the return of the Messiah (Patton, n. pag.). In Marxist ideology, however, this “Messiah” would be a group of Communists who will save the world by overthrowing capitalism (Palton, n. pag.). Therefore, communism can be seen as “the final age of history” (Palton, n. pag.).
In his article Karl Marx: Communist as Religious Eschatologist” (1990), Murray Rothbard wrote that communism was based on a concept known as “reabsorption theology” (Rothbard, 127). This term emphasizes the idea that the inevitable endpoint of human history is a return to its supposed starting point – a pre-creation union with God (Rothbard, 127). According to reabsorption theology, God created the human race and will ultimately be reunited with it on the Final Judgement (Rothbard, 129).
Marxism, on the other hand, posits that humanity began with primitive communalism and will eventually evolve into a classless society espoused by communism (Rothbard, 129).
According to reabsorption theology, God created the universe out of a sense of loneliness or dissatisfaction, or to develop His undeveloped faculties (Rothbard, 128). However, over time He became dissatisfied with the universe because it promoted diversity, individuality and separateness (Rothbard, 128). As a result of this dissatisfaction, man was alienated from God, his fellow man and even nature itself (Rothbard, 128).
The concept of alienation in Marxism is derived from the idea of alienation in reabsorption theology (Rothbard, 128). According to Marx, work not only enables a person to earn a living but also greatly affects their consciousness (Gaardner, 329). Under capitalism, where the worker works for someone else, their capacity to produce ends up as something that does not belong to them (Gaardner, 330). As a result, the worker becomes alienated from their work and at the same time from themselves (Gaardner, 330).
Nevertheless, the reabsorption theory believes that history allowed both God and man to develop their talents and hone their skills (Rothbard, 129). This runs parallel to Marxism’s economic determinism, which argues that economic activity shapes history. Lastly, reabsorption theology affirms the reunion of God and man (hence the term reabsorption”) on the End of Days (Rothbard, 129). However, this reconciliation between God and man occurs on a higher level (Rothbard, 129). As Rothbard puts it: “The painful state of creation is now over; alienation is at last ended; and man returns Home to be on a higher post-creation level. History and the world have come to an end” (Rothbard, 129).
Meanwhile, Marxism’s ultimate goal is Communism – a classless society” in which the proletariat owns the means of production (Gaardner, 333). Additionally, the policy regarding production will shift “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs” (Gaardner, 333). Therefore, the worker’s alienation from their labor will cease (Gaardner, 333).
It is true that Marxism was created in response to the social ills of the 19th century. However, it must be noted that everything man touches becomes a mixture of good and evil” (Gaardner, 333). Although the intentions of Marxism were noble, Marx was not able to foresee how people would interpret and implement Marxism after his death. Therefore, it is no longer surprising if the majority of the world’s so-called socialist governments were both formed and collapsed in the 20th century.
Furthermore, there is no such thing as a perfect society, a promised land, or an ideal system. The human race will always face new challenges that cannot be resolved by any single ideology or belief system. Ultimately, it is the people themselves – not some all-encompassing philosophy – who possess the power to shape society for better or for worse.
Works Cited
- Dictionary: Marxism.” (2008). Answers.com. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://www.answers.com/topic/marxism.
- “Economic Determinism.” (2005). Spiritus-Temporis.com. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/economic-determinism/.
- Gaardner, Jostein. (2002). Sophie’s World. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc.
- Kreis, Steven. (2008). “Karl Marx, 1818-1883.” The History Guide. Retrieved March 19, 2008 from http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/marx.html.
- Marx, Karl. “The Communist Manifesto.” In Emile Burns (Ed.), The Marxist Reader (pp.21-59). New York: Avenel Books;1982.
- Patton Jude. (1990). “Is Communism Dead?” M1-Garand.com.Retrieved March19 ,2008 from http://www.m1-garand.com/Info%20Pages/World_War_II_infopage33.htm
- Rothbard Murray N.(1990).”Karl Marx: Communist as Religious Eschatologist”.The Review of Austrian Economics4(123-179).
- Stillman Peter G.(April ,2005).”The Myth of Marx’s Economic Determinism”.Marx Myths and Legends.RetrievedMarch19 ,2008from
