1. How is ‘class consciousness’ created and what political
role does it have? What is the difference between ‘workers’ and ‘the
proletariat’?
2. Inequality is, in Marx, something to overcome, hence the
vision of a classless society. But in the short run, inequality, and even
worsening inequality, is seen as necessary to progress. How can that be?
3. The Marxian concept of history is that it is driven by
conflict between classes. What is the conflict that emerges in capitalism?
Explain how the concepts of the labor
theory of value and surplus value are used to show the necessary but ultimately
destructive driving forces of capitalism.
4. Louis Bonaparte was a popular leader with a strong basis
of support in the peasantry. Why doesn’t Marx see this as a step towards
Communism?
5. Marx’s claim to ‘scientific socialism’ might be said to
rest on the development of a broad theory, from empirical evidence that can be
used to deduce (predict) particular results (a la Huygens). Evaluate the claim.
Application 1: How
does the vision of political action promoted by Marx contrast or resonate with
that of modern US political parties? Sometimes Democrats are accused of being
‘socialist’, but in some ways, the Republicans since Ronald Reagan are more the
type of party that Marx had in mind. Or some could argue that Trump is more
”Marxist’. Explain what this might mean.
Application 2: Marx
thought revolution was inevitable. Is that idea shared by any movement today?
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