Marxism Essay Research Paper Karl Marx was

Marxism Essay, Research Paper

Karl Marx was born in 1818, in Germany. During his education he was greatly influenced by the social philosophers such as Hegel, Feuerbach and Hess. He earned his Ph.D. degree at Jena in 1841. By 1942 he became the editor of the Rheinische Zeitung, but his commentary calling for radical reforms led to its banning in 1843. Shortly following this, he move to Paris where he met Friedrich Engels, who proved to be one of the most influential associates Marx had. At this time Marx became a socialist. By 1847 Engles and Marx had joined the Communist league and together wrote the essay upon which communist philosophy is based, Communist Manifesto (1948). This essay openly expressed his views on the class struggle that would inevitably occur in capitalistic society (Marx, 1993).

Karl Marx’s theory attempted to explain the conflict between the growth of economy and the changes that occur in society, politics and history. His main theory explained how society’s ability to produce knowledge, technological equipment and other material goods, struggled against the creation and sustenance of relationships among people which determine how resources dispersed. When social forces (relationships) are first created they assist in economic growth and development, however as they age, they begin to impede the economic development until a new social force is created (Vold, Bernard and Snipes, 1998).

Spurred on by the shift Marx saw from feudalism to capitalism during the European Industrial Revolution, Marx theorized the same stagnation of society that held back the feudal economy would eventually hold back the development of the capitalistic economy until it experienced a predicted shift to socialism. Capitalism’s end was to come from a shift in the distribution of wealth into fewer and fewer hands and poverty’s growth among the masses. Thus a labor force would be created of those working for others, mechanization and the replacement of workers, creating unemployment and low wages because workers are so easily replaced. The frustration resulting in the working class would bring rise to social change. This is what Marx refers to as the “contradiction”, a shrinking power class and growing labor class struggling to survive (Vold, 1998).

Marx further states that those in the position of power have the ability to control the formation of the social contract/composition. Those without the wealth are left to live in the situation those with economic and political power create, for they have little to no influence. Therefore, what little Marx mentions on crime in his studies centers on this idea that crime is just the rebellious struggle of the economically disadvantaged against those in power, arising from frustration and feelings of inequality (Vold, 1998).

There are two classifications of Marxist theories.

When the state and its law are the tool of the power class to control the working class and production, while protecting capitalist economic order, it is referred to as instrumental Marxism. Structural Marxism, the more popular of the two divisions of the theory, states criminal law is explained via socio-economic origins. Laws don’t always support the ruling class but support the capitalist system, overall.

As earlier stated, crime is the result of the demoralization of the working and unemployed. Demoralization is a result of lack of self-worth and productiveness. This demoralization breads resentment and results in deviant behavior against the power system.

William Bonger acknowledged the natural human characteristics of greed and selfishness and their effects on crime in capitalist society. Greed of the lower classes is criminalized (the use of illegitimate means to obtain wealth), whereas the same desires and means of achieving those desires, of the upper class are legally supported. If a socialist society were in practice, concern for the masses would lead to removal of biases within the justice system allowing each member equal access to the satisfaction of their greed.

Lynch and Groves have developed their own explanation of crime based upon Marxist philosophies. First, capitalism is based on a long history of inequality. Second, as a result of this inequality, society becomes stratified in to economic and power classes. Thirdly, the opportunities or lack thereof are the determinants of criminal behavior for people. Finally, engaging in one of the opportunities one may choose could result in criminal behavior.

Marxism would fall under the classification behavior of criminal law theories. Economic interests can served by criminal law or business can be moved elsewhere where a legally friendly environment can be found to aid in economic interests. Those that have enacted laws that harm economic interests, in the end only hurt themselves by driving moneymakers out. Therefore the owners of the economic system have power over the criminal law (Vold, 1998).

In the first article reviewed, “Marxism and Western intellectuals in the Post-Communist Era” by Paul Hollander, the modern Western intellectuals’ views on Marxism are reviewed. With a modernizing world, particularly that of the 80s and 90s, Western intellectuals have begun to seriously consider Marxism as an alternative to the cold, unfeeling and unfair capitalistic system. First, modern intellectuals do not support the milita