Transcript Revolution
Revolution
• • • • Marx believes that ideas are the product of the way in which people act, which, in turn, are the product of economic forces.
Eventually, these forces will lead the proletariat to become conscious of their exploitation.
Revolution will follow through action, not ideas. Marx dismisses though who believe men to be motivated by ideas as “utopian”.
“The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point is to change it.” (Theses on Feuerbach)
Alienation
• • • • The capitalist economy and bourgeois morality prevent the proletariat from having any social and political mobility.
The worker (proletariat) is alienated from his labour as he has to sell this to the capitalist and from the products of labour as these are owned by the capitalist. In a wider sense, the workers are also alienated from the fulfilment of his humanity.
The presence of an underclass is inevitable as those with property and power are not likely to surrender them.
Das Kapital
• • • • It is worth mentioning Marx’s economic masterpiece and the ideas that underpin it.
“the mode of production of material life determines the general character of the social, political and spiritual processes of life” Technological advancement is fed by material need for comfort. Material well being is determined by distribution of economic goods. Social relationships are, therefore, entirely economic in nature.
Social change results from technological change and conflicts in new economic relationships (see previous slide).
Some Criticisms:
• • •
1.
Karl Popper argues that Marx’s dialectical materialism fails as it offers a view of history that cannot be universalised. The “laws” which history subscribes to are only applicable to human activity on our planet. As such, they are better described as “trends”. Marx cannot argue for a determined future, only for the probable continuation of patterns of behaviour.
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2. Despite Marx’s arguments to the contrary, his theory is an ideology as it possesses normative content. Marx claims it to be “scientific and value-free”, but this is difficult to maintain when one considers that its purpose is obviously to wins hearts and minds.
3. Marx’s doctrine of alienation lacks clarity. It is not clear exactly what Marx means when he described man being alienated from himself and nature. Some suggest that he is offering a critique of capitalism, but need the capitalist system be seen as unnatural? Liberal thinkers such as Nozick would argue that capitalism reflects our true nature much more accurately than communism does.
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4. Marx dismisses the possibility of evolutionary change. Political change has to be complete – any residue will corrupt future systems. This is perhaps an extreme position - thinkers such as Burke have argued that gradual change can be significant.
5. The intermediate stage of dictatorship of the Proletariat is dangerous! Can one guarantee that it will be interim? Indeed, the Russian revolution revealed that those who are quick enough to grab power are likely to prosper at the expense of others and are as unlikely to surrender their position as the bourgeois were to voluntary give up theirs prior to revolution.
6. Marx’s diagnosis of the human condition seems a little simplistic. Marx defines human beings in economic terms and believes that fulfilment can only be realised through the creation of relationships that cater for needs, rather than wants. It may well be that we have moral and spiritual needs that surpass what Communism can offer us.
Applied Communism
• • • • The bulk of criticism levied at Marx concerns the fact that Communism has not succeeded in the countries where it has been tried.
Yet, it must be remembered that Marx presented Communism as a system that would be implemented after the Bourgeois had been displaced by revolution in an industrialised country.
In reality, all communist states have emerged from poor, agricultural communities i.e. ones that had not moved beyond Marx’s third stage in history (feudalism). In addition, those who followed Marx rarely shared his optimistic view of human nature.
• •
Lenin and Stalin
Lenin did not believe that the state could “wither away” in the short term and committed to install “the vanguard of the proletariat” to protect the gains of the October Revolution and awaken the proletariat to its revolutionary potential.
Stalin had an even more pessimistic view of human nature, believing individuals to be readily expendable and the continuation of strong, authoritarian leadership to be essential. Stalin abandoned the commitment to international revolution, developing the idea of “Socialism in One Country”. He removed all aspects of the capitalist market and installed the system of “central planning”. All economic concerns were centralised and brought under the administrative control of powerful ministries based in Moscow. The need to suppress private initiatives and maintain central control led to the purges of the 1930s and the loss of millions of lives.
Anarchism
Anarchy in the UK
Right ! NOW ! ha ha ha ha ha I am the antichrist I am an anarchist Don't know what I want but I know how to get it I wanna destroy the passer by cos I I wanna BE anarchy !
No dogs body Anarchy for the U.K it's coming sometime and maybe I give a wrong time stop a trafic line your future dream is a shopping scheme cos I I wanna BE anarchy !
In the city How Many ways to get what you want I use the best I use the rest I use the enemy I use anarchy cos I I wanna BE anarchy !
THE ONLY WAY TO BE !
Is this the M.P.L.A
Or is this the U.D.A
Or is this the I.R.A
I thought it was the U.K or just another country another council tenancy I wanna be an anarchist Oh what a name DESTROY !
Contemporary expressions
Rage against the machine
Killing in the name of!
Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites And now you do what they told ya And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control I won't do what you tell me Uggh!
What is Anarchism?
• • • • • • Anarchos – Greek, meaning “without rulers” Anarchism is an umberella term covering many ideological positions, though two distinct forms are commonly identified: –
collectivist anarchism
– individualist anarchism (often considered synonymous with Libertarianism) Origins may be found in Greek stoicism Referenced in the English Civil War – term of abuse used by Royalists Enlightenment thinkers saw it differently – viewed as a positive term by far-left extremists in the French revolution. Modern understanding formed in the 19 th century
Modern Anarchism – a few characters
• • • William Godwin (1756 – 1836) – response to the French Revolution & Edmund Burke’s Conservatism.
NB Godwin was married to Mary Wollstonecraft and his daughter, also Mary, married Percy Shelley – becoming Mary Shelly! He agreed with Rousseau that man is corrupted by his social conditions. Removing the state would lead to self governance of pure reason and the eradication of vice.
Wot? No beard?!
Michael Bakunin (1814-1876)
• • • • • Bakunin is widely regarded as the founder of anarchism as a distinct political body.
He promoted a type of collectivism understood as “self-governing communities of free individuals”. This involved removal of the state and private ownership of the means of production, with salaries set democratically.
Along with Karl Marx & Proudhon, he was a leading member of The International Workingmen’s Association (or The First International). Bakunin clashed with Marx & was expelled.
His concerns over “The Vanguard of the Proletariat” proved well placed. “...freedom can be created only by freedom, that is, by a universal rebellion on the part of the people and free organization of the toiling masses from the bottom up.”
• • • • •
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865)
Proudhon was the first to label himself an “anarchist” He attacked the right to property (“property is theft”), seeing it as the root of all conflict.
He argued for “mutualism” – a cooperative system, based on a commitment to provide for needs rather than wants and leading to the means of production being controlled by the workers.
He insisted that human beings must be allowed to creatively engage in their work, but must not materially benefit from the work of others. He admired small communities of craftsmen who managed their affairs through mutual cooperation. He was particularly impressed with Swiss villages.
“Whoever lays his hand on me to govern me is a usurper and tyrant, and I declare him my enemy.”
• • • • •
Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921)
Kropotkin reacted to Darwin, arguing that nature reveals that all animal species benefit from “mutual aid”. Those who readily cooperate are most likely to survive.
He envisaged a type of communitarianism (anarcho-communism) where all members have shared ownership of material goods and meet to address issues of collective concern (using a type of direct democracy). He resisted the argument that laws promote positive behaviour, citing the ineffectiveness of the death penalty.
He held a very positive diagnosis of human nature, believing our natural altruism would be our salvation: “No more laws! No more judges! Liberty, equality and practical human sympathy are the only effective barriers we can oppose to the anti-social instincts of certain among us.” Winner of Gold Medal: Philosopher’s beard category 1890
Human nature
• • • To develop a position on anarchism (or, indeed, any political ideology) you must first develop a position on human nature.
Are we essentially selfish or naturally altruistic?
Anarchism is, perhaps, the most optimistic political ideology. It often presents the idea that human beings are intrinsically moral creatures who define themselves in their liberty.
Two perspectives
1. Anarchism attacks what the State does - the enslaving nature of the State 2. Anarchism asks on what basis the State may be justified. Is there any way that we can be held to have an obligation to the State?
Problems with Anarchism
• • • • The most damning indictment is that anarchist societies have always been very short-lived.
Anarchism obviously places excessive faith in human nature. If communism has failed due to the failure of individuals to resist putting the common good before personal ambition, then how better placed is anarchism to allow the pursuit of self gratification?!
The likes of Hobbes will claim that it only takes one corrupt soul to scupper the collectivist ideals of anarchism. Yet, the anarchist may respond by arguing that it is the state that corrupts individuals.
Anarchist ideology lacks clarity. Often it appears to be little more than a hybrid formed out of socialist and liberal ideas.
Don’t we all need a little anarchy in our lives?!
• • • • • • To imagine the abolishment of the state is perhaps a step too far, both in terms of possibility and desirability.
Yet, some anarchistic sentiment is arguably necessary to combat 21 st century neurosis: Obsessive about order and security Health and safety Unquestioning acceptance of the status quo Averse to risk taking - Stagnation?
Beware the State!
And finally…
• • • • • • • Learn this well! Again, realise that you will have to exercise some brain power – apply the syllabus to the thoughts and thinkers who feature & make connections.
See me if any areas baffle or befuddle.
Apply your newfound knowledge to past paper questions & submit for marking – repeat if you have a poor mark.
Have confidence – you all know this well enough to offer an intelligent response. Do not offer chunks of tenuously linked material – answer the question! The examiner wants to see a sustained argument. Use whatever material seems applicable – there is no prescribed format.
May the force be with you!
Yoda “Luke, I know what you are getting for Christmas” Luke ”How can you know that?” Yoda “I’ve felt your presents!” Contact master at: [email protected]