Lenin divided Marxism into three main parts: philosophy, economics, and scientific socialism. In this article, following the same division, an attempt is made to explain all three components of Marxism in simple language. Undoubtedly, these three sources and components of Marxism are inseparable. Without a correct understanding of the philosophy of Marxism, one cannot grasp its economics; likewise, without learning about scientific socialism, it is difficult—if not impossible—to understand Marxist philosophy. All three components are intertwined and should ideally be studied in parallel. The separation of these concepts is intended solely for the purpose of facilitating learning. As the discussion progresses, the reader will come to appreciate the inseparability of these three sources and components of Marxism.
Marxism encompasses many elements, including historical materialism, dialectical transformation, alienation, class difference, surplus value, proletarian revolution, and communism.
Historical Materialism: The cornerstone of Marxist philosophy is what Engels called the “materialist understanding of history.” This element reveals the importance of economic life and the conditions under which people produce and reproduce their means of living. Marx was of the opinion that the economic “base,” which essentially consists of the “mode of production” or economic system, is the condition or determinant of the ideological and political “superstructure.”
Dialectical Transformation: Marx, following Hegel, believed that dialectic is a process of interaction between opposing forces that leads to a higher stage of development and is the driving force of historical transformation. In the materialist view, this means that historical transformation is the result of the internal contradictions of the “mode of production,” which manifest as class irreconcilability.
Self-Alienation: The basic principle of Marx’s early writings centers on self-alienation. This principle suggests that, in the capitalist system, labor is reduced to a commodity and becomes an impersonal action. Thus, workers are alienated from the products of their labor, from the process of working, from their fellow workers, and ultimately from themselves, as creative and social beings.
Class Differences: The main conflict within capitalist society arises from private property. This contrast divides the bourgeoisie, or capitalist class—owners of the “means of production”—from the proletariat, or working class, who do not own property and therefore subsist by selling their labor.
Surplus Value: Marx believed that all value comes from the labor expended in the production of goods. Therefore, profiteering compels capitalists to extract “surplus value” from workers by paying them less than the value produced by their labor.
Proletarian Revolution: According to Marx, the proletarian revolution is inevitable. He predicted that this revolution would occur through spontaneous uprisings aimed at seizing control of the means of production. However, in subsequent years, he also considered the possibility of a peaceful transition to socialism.
Communism: A communist society is classless, meaning that all people jointly own the society’s wealth. The system of “production of goods” gives way to the system of “production for consumption,” aimed at meeting the real needs of people.
However, after the deaths of Marx and his intellectual collaborator Engels, Marxism branched into various interpretations and elements, leading to discussions on whether later followers of Marxism had deviated from Marx’s original principles.
