Discussion on Orthodox Marxism

The lecture on the last parts of the 19^th century ideological spectrum continued this meeting. Liberalism tried to veer away from the excessiveness of state intervention, but in doing so the existing system had far reaching repercussions to society. With liberalism, laissez faire was held with the highest virtue. The market system was thought to be the ideal system that should be kept unfazed by any state intervention. However, the same market system further exacerbated the existing societal problems and ever-widening economic inequality. Competition was at the heart of the market system and those who cannot cope with the cut-throat struggle cannot hope to survive. The ideology of Marxism is said to sprout from the belly of liberalist thought. The shift from liberalism to Marxism is caused by the shift of ideology from one period to the next.

Orthodox Marxism becomes an attractive alternative for intellectuals who are flustered with the inequalities that had arisen from the belly of liberalism. In Orthodox Marxism, Marx rejected the metaphysics of human nature. He reasons that materiality ultimately contributes to the consciousness of man. Unlike F. Hegel, Marx argues that man’s consciousness cannot be separated from his body, the same way that an individual cannot be objectively studied if one is removed from one’s society. In the same manner, Marx defined work as paradigm of how man creates himself. It defines human nature for it embodies man’s conscious effort to produce and reproduce life. When it comes to matters concerning the State, Marxism is very sharp on its criticism on the system of Mercantilism. Marx also states that the institution of the State is a historical necessity. Within the State resides a raging hostility amongst the two opposing classes – the affluent bourgeoisie and the oppressed proletariat. Though mercantilism basks in the free market system, it is said to create only limited wealth for the privileged few. The State is said to be in service of these privileged few. And as such, Marxism argues that the ruling class holds the State by its neck. To remedy the societal inequalities caused by liberalism, class struggle is an inevitable step to erode the inequities of the bourgeoisie class. As for the role of the Church, Marxism treats the institution of organized religion as the main antagonist in the class struggle. Marx labelled religion as the opium of the masses since it promotes false consciousness among its members through its deceiving doctrines. Filled with much despair from the abuses of the bourgeoisie, the mass of proletariats often resort to of religion in the hopes of availing of divine justice for their misfortunes from the current system. (03/01/2011)