Marxism
Marxism is a sociological, political and economic theory that examines how social
class, power and economic systems influence society. Developed by Karl Marx
and Friedrich Engels during the nineteenth century, the theory argues that
society is characterised by inequality because wealth, resources and power are
unequally distributed between different social classes. Marxism suggests that
capitalism creates and maintains these inequalities by allowing those who own
the means of production to benefit from the labour of others. Within social work,
Marxism provides a framework for understanding how structural factors such as
poverty, unemployment, housing inequality and social exclusion influence
individuals' lives, encouraging practitioners to consider the wider social and
economic contexts rather than focusing solely on individual responsibility (Payne,
2021).
The origins of Marxism are found in the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels,
particularly The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Capital (1867). Marx argued
that throughout history societies have been shaped by class struggle, with
conflict occurring between those who control economic resources and those who
sell their labour to survive. Under capitalism, Marx identified two principal
classes: the bourgeoisie, who own businesses, land and the means of production,
and the proletariat, who work for wages. Marx argued that the bourgeoisie
accumulate wealth through the exploitation of workers, creating social inequality
and economic instability (Marx & Engels, 1848).
A central concept within Marxism is historical materialism, which proposes that
changes in society are primarily driven by economic conditions and the
distribution of material resources. Marx argued that political institutions,
education, religion, healthcare and the legal system are influenced by the
economic structure of society and often function to preserve existing power
relationships. Consequently, social problems such as poverty, homelessness and
inequality are viewed not as the result of individual failings but as products of
broader economic and structural forces.
Marx also introduced the concept of alienation, arguing that workers under
capitalism become separated from the products of their labour, the process of
work, other people and ultimately themselves. Because workers have little
control over their labour or the wealth it creates, they may experience
powerlessness, dissatisfaction and reduced wellbeing. Marx believed that these
Marxism is a sociological, political and economic theory that examines how social
class, power and economic systems influence society. Developed by Karl Marx
and Friedrich Engels during the nineteenth century, the theory argues that
society is characterised by inequality because wealth, resources and power are
unequally distributed between different social classes. Marxism suggests that
capitalism creates and maintains these inequalities by allowing those who own
the means of production to benefit from the labour of others. Within social work,
Marxism provides a framework for understanding how structural factors such as
poverty, unemployment, housing inequality and social exclusion influence
individuals' lives, encouraging practitioners to consider the wider social and
economic contexts rather than focusing solely on individual responsibility (Payne,
2021).
The origins of Marxism are found in the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels,
particularly The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Capital (1867). Marx argued
that throughout history societies have been shaped by class struggle, with
conflict occurring between those who control economic resources and those who
sell their labour to survive. Under capitalism, Marx identified two principal
classes: the bourgeoisie, who own businesses, land and the means of production,
and the proletariat, who work for wages. Marx argued that the bourgeoisie
accumulate wealth through the exploitation of workers, creating social inequality
and economic instability (Marx & Engels, 1848).
A central concept within Marxism is historical materialism, which proposes that
changes in society are primarily driven by economic conditions and the
distribution of material resources. Marx argued that political institutions,
education, religion, healthcare and the legal system are influenced by the
economic structure of society and often function to preserve existing power
relationships. Consequently, social problems such as poverty, homelessness and
inequality are viewed not as the result of individual failings but as products of
broader economic and structural forces.
Marx also introduced the concept of alienation, arguing that workers under
capitalism become separated from the products of their labour, the process of
work, other people and ultimately themselves. Because workers have little
control over their labour or the wealth it creates, they may experience
powerlessness, dissatisfaction and reduced wellbeing. Marx believed that these
