Marxism is a social, economic, and political philosophy that analyzes the impact of capitalism on society. It was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 19th century and has since become one of the most influential schools of thought in the world. Indeed, Marx's critique of the capitalist mode of production provided the basis for a whole range of theoretical approaches that place critique at the heart of academic activity.
Marxism is based on the idea that history is driven by class conflict. In capitalist society, there are two main classes: the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (the working class). The bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat by paying them less than the value of the products of their labor, which creates a surplus value that the bourgeoisie can then use to accumulate more capital. The accumulation of capital then becomes the main goal in capitalist society, the basis for power relations between the classes, and the fundamental structure of capitalism itself.
This exploitation leads to a number of problems in capitalist society, including poverty, inequality, and alienation. Marxism argues that these problems can only be solved by abolishing capitalism and replacing it with a socialist or communist system. In a socialist system, the means of production would be owned and controlled by the working class, and the surplus value would be distributed more equitably. In a communist system, there would be no classes at all, and everyone would work and share equally in the fruits of their labor.
Marxism has had a profound impact on the world, and its ideas have been used to justify revolutions and social movements around the globe. It is a complex and sophisticated philosophy, and there is still much debate about its merits and shortcomings.
Here are some of the key concepts of Marxism:
Dialectical materialism: This is the philosophical foundation of Marxism, and it argues that the world is constantly changing and evolving through the interaction of opposing forces.
Historical materialism: This is Marx's theory of history that argues that the development of society is determined by the material conditions of life, such as the way in which people produce and distribute goods and services.
Class struggle: This is the central dynamic of capitalist society, and it refers to the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
Surplus value: This is the value that is created by the working class but is appropriated by the bourgeoisie.
Communism: This is the end goal of Marxism, and it is a stateless, classless society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the working class.
Marxism is a controversial philosophy, but it is also one of the most influential schools of thought in the world. It has had a considerable impact on the development of left-wing politics as well as academia, and its ideas continue to be debated and discussed today.
Marxism is concerned with understanding the underlying structures of capitalism and how these structures produce class struggles. Marxist critique is a critique which is always concerned ultimately with breaking down the structures that enable some to possess power at the expense of others. Marxism should be about empowering the working classes and preventing further exploitation. Western capitalism may look very different today than what it did in Marx and Engels' time however, despite the progress of worker’s rights and social mobility, capitalism today is a well-oiled machine that is still the basis for social disparities. Marxism may be a framework favoured by those who are interested in class relations and how graphic design can be used as a tool for social change.
Some themes that could be explored using a Marxist framework are:
What role does graphic design play in the advanced state of Western capitalism in the 21st Century?
How can graphic design be used to empower working class people? This could be in the context of education, for example, where people in lower status families experience barriers to quality education.
How can graphic design be used to help serve socialist causes and the eventual dismantlement of capitalism? This could be about information and exploring new channels of communication outside corporate mass media.
How can graphic design be used in service of social mobility?