Marx’s most popular theory was ‘historical materialism’, arguing that history is the result of material conditions, rather than ideas. He believed that religion, morality, social structures and other things are all rooted in economics. In his later life he was more tolerant of religion.

In Paris, Marx was publishing the Deutsch–Französische Jahrbücher. Engels met Marx for a second time at the Café de la Régence on the Place du Palais, 28 August 1844. The two quickly became close friends and remained so their entire lives.

The Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, was first published in 1848. It formed the basis for the modern communist movement as we know it, arguing that capitalism would inevitably self-destruct, to be replaced by socialism and ultimately communism.

Marxists believe that if the working class makes itself the ruling class, and destroys the basis for class society (private property, or what Marx called “Bourgeois Property”), there will be a “classless society.” In a Marxist society, no social classes are in conflict, and there is no government anymore.

Karl Marx saw capitalism as a progressive historical stage that would eventually stagnate due to internal contradictions and be followed by socialism. Marxists define capital as “a social, economic relation” between people (rather than between people and things). In this sense they seek to abolish capital.

Marx’s Major Contributions. Karl Marx made at least seven major con- tributions. to political economy. First, he established a framework-the materialist conception of history-for ana- lyzing economic, social, and political changes over long periods of time.

Marxism is a social, political, and economic philosophy named after Karl Marx. It examines the effect of capitalism on labor, productivity, and economic development and argues for a worker revolution to overturn capitalism in favor of communism.

Is Marxism relevant today? Yes, if we can avoid the dogmatism and rigidity that were often associated with the tradition. Power, exploitation, class, structures of production and distribution, property relations, workplace hierarchy — these features certainly continue to be an important part of our social world.

Marx argued that throughout history, society has transformed from feudal society into Capitalist society, which is based on two social classes, the ruling class (bourgeoisie) who own the means of production (factories, for example) and the working class (proletariat) who are exploited (taken advantage of) for their …

It argues for the social benefits of free education, free health care and state run utilities—benefits that can be adopted even by an economic system that does not want to come near to embracing Marxism. On the negative side, however, a major weakness of Marxism is that it leads to state tyranny.

What does Marxism say is wrong with us? To Marxists, the problem with society is economic. In a capitalistic economy, the bourgeoisie measure their worth by exploitation, causing all of the hurt and wrong in the society. Mainly economic, salvation is achieved when communism is brought to fruition.

Marxists consider the material world as an integrated whole in which all things and phenomena are interconnected and interdependent. Whereas, socialists believe in equality and abolition of private enterprise.

• General criticism.
• Historical materialism.
• Historical determinism.
• Suppression of individual rights.
• Economic.
• Social.
• Epistemological.
• See also.

Marxism does not offer a deterministic account of society and history, and in fact it is not possible to do so. The broadest example of a limit on action is the fact that the level of material production in a given society restricts the possible forms that can be taken by the relationships of ownership and control.

Marxism was criticized for its exclusive theoretical focus on the economic and material conditions in society, and for ignoring issues of environmental degradation and the relationship of environmental issues to social justice.

In Marxist theory, a new democratic society will arise through the organised actions of an international working class enfranchising the entire population and freeing up humans to act without being bound by the labour market. Nonetheless, the desired end results, a stateless, communal society, are the same.

Different types of democracies

• Direct democracy.
• Representative democracy.
• Constitutional democracy.
• Monitory democracy.

Cleisthenes

Tynwald, on the Isle of Man, claims to be one of the oldest continuous parliaments in the world, with roots back to the late 9th or 10th century. The Althing, the parliament of the Icelandic Commonwealth, founded in 930.

America

Pericles, (born c. 495 bce, Athens—died 429, Athens), Athenian statesman largely responsible for the full development, in the later 5th century bce, of both the Athenian democracy and the Athenian empire, making Athens the political and cultural focus of Greece.

Pericles strengthened democracy by creating a direct democracy that had not existed before and by hiring more paid public officials. His policies were intended to make it possible for any person regardless of socioeconomic status to serve in the government.

The Greek idea of democracy was different from present-day democracy because, in Athens, all adult citizens were required to take an active part in the government. The Athenian definition of “citizens” was also different from modern-day citizens: only free men were considered citizens in Athens.