1. Marx: a very quick overview

2. …Marx Excellent introductions to Marx are:Excellent introductions to Marx are: Jo Wolff’s entry in the Stanford Encylopedia http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marx/ and his Why Read Marx Today?

3. What does Marx say? Marx produced a huge volume of work and so there is not a single point of reference.Marx produced a huge volume of work and so there is not a single point of reference. Nonetheless it is possible to identify key theses which represent a critical analysis of the state and serve as a diagnostic and predictive tool to set out how matters are to develop (for the better).Nonetheless it is possible to identify key theses which represent a critical analysis of the state and serve as a diagnostic and predictive tool to set out how matters are to develop (for the better).

4. …key claims Central concern of Marx is human emancipation.Central concern of Marx is human emancipation. A common theme is thus joined – the philosophical worry about human freedom.A common theme is thus joined – the philosophical worry about human freedom. However, the way in which Marx develops the analysis of our freedom leads to a radical criticism of both traditional conceptions of the state and of liberal theory.However, the way in which Marx develops the analysis of our freedom leads to a radical criticism of both traditional conceptions of the state and of liberal theory. Marx is hostile to the institution of private property, the free market capitalist economy and to the liberal assignment and protection of individual rights.Marx is hostile to the institution of private property, the free market capitalist economy and to the liberal assignment and protection of individual rights.

5. …theses The grand theories of Marxism.The grand theories of Marxism. Man (essentially productive and creative)Man (essentially productive and creative) Society (base – superstructure)Society (base – superstructure) History (historical materialism)History (historical materialism) Economics (labour theory of value)Economics (labour theory of value)

6. …Theory of Man Essentially productive nature.Essentially productive nature. Creative engagement with the worldCreative engagement with the world the ‘species-being’ of Man consists in labour, and that Man is ‘alienated’ to the extent that labour is performed according to a division of labour that is dictated by the market.the ‘species-being’ of Man consists in labour, and that Man is ‘alienated’ to the extent that labour is performed according to a division of labour that is dictated by the market. Wage labour alienates us from our most important capacity, commoditising labour and diminishing the control one has over one’s life.Wage labour alienates us from our most important capacity, commoditising labour and diminishing the control one has over one’s life. Free market economic relations destrcutive of our capacity to flourish.Free market economic relations destrcutive of our capacity to flourish.

7. …and liberal rights Liberal rights and ideas of justice suppose individuals need to be protected from others.Liberal rights and ideas of justice suppose individuals need to be protected from others. Freedom is freedom from interference.Freedom is freedom from interference. But our essential nature – part of our ‘species essence’ - is to engage collectively in co-operative, creative productive activity.But our essential nature – part of our ‘species essence’ - is to engage collectively in co-operative, creative productive activity. Real freedom is found positively in our relations with other people. It is to be found in human community, not in isolation.Real freedom is found positively in our relations with other people. It is to be found in human community, not in isolation. A regime of liberal rights encourages us to view each other in ways which undermine the possibility of the real freedom we may find in human emancipation – although N.B. liberalism is an improvement on traditional forms of regimes. Yet, it must be supplanted to achieve genuine human emancipationA regime of liberal rights encourages us to view each other in ways which undermine the possibility of the real freedom we may find in human emancipation – although N.B. liberalism is an improvement on traditional forms of regimes. Yet, it must be supplanted to achieve genuine human emancipation

8. …getting there We realise our true nature when we achieve a communist community – one in which there is no private ownership and the state has withered away.We realise our true nature when we achieve a communist community – one in which there is no private ownership and the state has withered away. How do we get there?How do we get there? The inevitable progression of history (‘the economics first model’) or;The inevitable progression of history (‘the economics first model’) or; The actions of a revolutionary movement (‘the politics first model’).The actions of a revolutionary movement (‘the politics first model’).

9. …society and history (and economics) Primacy of productive forces – resources and ourselves: the means of production and labour power.Primacy of productive forces – resources and ourselves: the means of production and labour power. Our fundamental relation to the world is one of need.Our fundamental relation to the world is one of need. Rationally compelling to develop productive forces to their greatest extent.Rationally compelling to develop productive forces to their greatest extent. Economic relations develop to maximise development of productive forces.Economic relations develop to maximise development of productive forces. When development is fettered by the nature of the economic relations a crisis arises and epochal change occurs.When development is fettered by the nature of the economic relations a crisis arises and epochal change occurs. Historical development driven by our basic needs and relationship to the world. Capitalism is just a phase to be superseded by socialism.Historical development driven by our basic needs and relationship to the world. Capitalism is just a phase to be superseded by socialism. Communist society possible once we reach a stage of productive (super)abundance.Communist society possible once we reach a stage of productive (super)abundance.

10. … The Superstructure the political, legal, religious institutions and framework. Liberalism and its associated moral values The Base Economic relations e.g. capitalism Selects Facilitates and stabilises Develops and encourage Rationality Scarcity Selects Forces of production Means of production Level of technological development Historical Development Fettering of forces of production

11. …questions and problems View of human nature – essentialism? Role of productivity and labour? One- sidedness of view of man.View of human nature – essentialism? Role of productivity and labour? One- sidedness of view of man. A scientific theory of history?A scientific theory of history? Primacy of the productive forces? Other explanatory factors in social and historical change.Primacy of the productive forces? Other explanatory factors in social and historical change. How can we attain the productive levels needed for communism? A world of finite resources.How can we attain the productive levels needed for communism? A world of finite resources. What would life be like in communism? The problem of divisions among angels.What would life be like in communism? The problem of divisions among angels. Does Marx believe capitalism to be unjust? The official position is ‘no’. Exploitation is a technical term. Moral values part of the ideological superstructure.Does Marx believe capitalism to be unjust? The official position is ‘no’. Exploitation is a technical term. Moral values part of the ideological superstructure.