KARL MARX

Religion as a cause of man’s alienation

Against Capitalism-took the view that that it brings about its own destruction

HISTORICAL MATERIALISM Economic conditions shape everything

significant in human society Change in history comes about because of

economic changes Legal systems, religious beliefs, value-

system, media, ideologies, educational institutions are determined by the economic base

Economic determinism Society is shaped by economics relations

KEY POINTS FROM MARX 1. Marxism is a theory of politics, economics and

history developed by Karl Marx in the mid-1800s. 2. It argues that society progresses through

phases, which are determined by ownership of capital.

3. Those who control capital essentially control society, while exploiting the workers to increase profit.

4. Marx’s conditions for socialist revolution did not apply well to Russia, which was not yet industrialised.

5. Lenin adapted Marxist theory, claiming that socialist revolution in Russia was possible if the capitalist-democratic phase was bypassed.