|
|
A solid understanding
of Marxist theory is vital in order to cut through the propaganda of the ruling class and
come to a class perspective and class solution for the problems facing workers and youth
today. This section deals with the major aspects of Marxist theory:
dialectical materialism, historical materialism, Marxist economics, the class nature of
the USSR, the colonial revolution, and more. See also Marxist
Classics and Study Guides.
Arranged by topic:
Marxism for Beginners - Articles
by V.I. Lenin:
Back to top
Other basic
introductions to the ideas of Marxism:
- The Marxism FAQ
There is probably no body of ideas that is more slandered or misinterpreted than those of
Marxism. This section addresses many of the recurring questions and misconceptions about
Marxism. If you don't see your question answered here, or if you have any
suggestions for additions, let us know! See also the Glossary of Marxist Terms.
- The Relevance of Marxism Today
The fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the bureaucratic Stalinist regimes of
Russia and Eastern Europe provoked a wave of euphoria in the West. The demise of Stalinism
was heralded as the "end of Socialism." The final victory of the "free
market" was trumpeted from the pages of learned journals from Tokyo to New York. The
strategists of capital were exultant. Francis Fukuyama even went so far as to proclaim the
"end of history." Henceforth, the class war would be no more. Everything would
be for the best in the best of all capitalist worlds. History has proved them
incredibly wrong. Written as an introduction to the publication of Trotsky's Marxism in Our Time. Also
available in Serbo-Croatian.
-
How the Workers are Robbed
Who produces the wealth and who gains most from its production? In a
pamphlet written 97 years ago, John Wheatley described an imaginary court
case, with a coalmaster, a landowner and several others being charged with
"having conspired together and robbed an old miner, Dick McGonnagle." Its
basic class analysis remains valid for workers today as they are still
being robbed.
- Don't Spread Yourself Too
Thin
A great, short piece by Leon Trotsky on how to make the best use of your time
when studying the often difficult ideas of Marxism.
- Workshop Talks
This marvellous little pamphlet by James Connolly has introduced millions of workers to
the basic ideas of socialism. Workshop Talks remains one of the best simple
rebuttals of all the arguments that come up over and over again against socialism, on
buses, in works canteens, and in pubs and clubs. "Socialism is not practical"...
"Socialism is contrary to religion"... "Socialism will destroy
freedom"... "Socialism means confiscation". Here are the answers!
Back to top
Marxist
Philosophy: Dialectial Materialism:Basic Points of Dialectical Materialism
Excellent summary of the basic points of Dialectical Materialism. Covers concepts
such as the transformation of quantity into quality, negation of the negation, the unity
and interpenetration of opposites, and more. By John Pickard
- ABC of Materialist
Dialectics
Trotsky's 'ABC of Materialist Dialectics' is a brilliant short explanation of Marxist
philosophy. It was written as part of a defense of Marxism against a middle class
revisionist tendency in the American Trotskyist movement in the late 1930s, which
attempted to challenge its basic principles. As opposed to pragmatism and empiricism,
Trotsky defended dialectical materialism as a richer, fuller, more comprehensive view of
society and life in general. By Leon Trotsky.
Also there is
an introduction by Rob Sewell.
This text was originally written by Alan Woods as a part of the book Reason in Revolt: Marxist
Philosophy and Modern Science, but eventually the book became too long and this part
had to left out. With chapters on: Do we Need Philosophy?, The First Dialecticians,
Aristotle and the End of Classical Greek Philosophy, The Renaissance, Descartes, Spinoza
and Leibniz, and Philosophy in the 20th Century.
- Reason in Revolt: Marxist Philosophy
and Modern Science (Dialectical Materialism)
This book, by Ted Grant and Alan Woods published in 1995 coinciding with Engel's
centenary, defends the validity of the philosophical writings of Marx and Engels using the
most important scientific discoveries of the twentieth century as a proof. The book has
already been published in Spanish and has also been translated into Italian, Greek, Urdu
and Flemish.
Back to top
The
Marxist Conception of History: Historical Materialism:
- Historical Materialism
An introduction to Historical Materialism covering the following topics: What is
historical materialism?, Primitive communism, The Asiatic mode of production, Ancient
Greece: slavery and democracy, Roman slavery, Decline of the Roman empire, The transition
to feudalism, Medieval towns, Class struggle under feudalism, Capitalism, The Capitalist
World Market, Imperialism, Revolutionary role of the Working Class and Capitalist Crisis.
By Mick Brooks.
Back to top
Marxism and Art
-
Introduction to Trotsky's Writings on Art and Culture
Together with this article by Alan Woods we are providing our readers with the on-line sources of Trotsky's writings on Art, Culture and Revolution. Where these are not available we give the reference to the printed text.
Back to top
Human Evolution
Back to top
Marxism and War
- Marxism and War
An excellent look at some of the fundamental questions facing Marxists in regard to war. By Phil Mitchinson
Back to top
Anarchism
-
Marxism and Direct Action
The recent anti-capitalist demonstrations have brought together many different groups
protesting against the destruction of the environment, racism, the exploitation of
the third world, and also many ordinary young people protesting at the state
of things in general. Phil Mitchinson looks at the anarchist ideas of the groups
that are organizing these events. (May, 2000)
-
Anarchism and Socialism
This outstanding little book by the founder of Russian Marxism G. V. Plekhanov, is essential reading in order to combat the ideas of Anarchism. Marx's Daughter Eleanor Marx Aveling says in her preface:
"Unfortunately, there are many of the younger, or of the more ignorant sort, who are inclined to take words for deeds, high-sounding phrases for acts, mere sound and fury for revolutionary activity, and who are too young or too ignorant to know that such sound and fury signify nothing. It is for the sake of these younger, or for the sake of the more ignorant, folk, that men like Plechanoff deal seriously with this matter of Anarchism, and do not feel their time lost if they can, as this work must, help readers to see the true meaning of what is called 'Anarchism.'
This little book of Plechanoff will assuredly convince the youngest even that under any circumstances Anarchism is but another word for reaction; and the more honest the men and women who play this reactionist game, the more tragic and dangerous it becomes for the whole working class movement."
Back to top
The Holocaust
-
The Holocaust - An attempt to explain the inexplicable
We are publishing an article by Inge Eriksson, University lecturer in 'European studies with a historical orientation', at Malmö University, Sweden. The article analyses the roots and conditions that led to the Holocaust under Nazi Germany.
Back to top
Fascism
Back to top
The Kronstadt Revolt:
-
Hue and Cry Over Kronstadt
In this article from 1938, Trotsky gives an excellent summary of the controversial Kronstadt uprising. He explains the social
roots of the uprising, and makes clear the counter-revolutionary character of the mutiny.
Religion:
- Marxism and Religion
We have received quite a few e-mails from our subscribers asking about the attitude of Marxists to religion, relating not only to Marxism and Christianity, but also to Islam. For example, we have received several communications from sympathetic people who support liberation theology, in the Philippines. We are also in contact with groups who describe themselves as Islamic Marxists. This is clearly an interesting and important question, which deserves serious treatment. As an initial contribution, we are publishing an article by Alan Woods which is actually based on his replies to such letters. (July 22, 2001)
By Alan Woods.
Socialism and
The Churches
A brilliant summary of the history and role of religion from a Marxist perspective.
By Rosa Luxemburg.
Back to top
Charity
-
Charity or Socialism?
Pakistani journalist Munoo Bhai examines the real meaning of charity under the capitalist system. (January, 2000)
Back to top
Marxism and Terrorism:
-
Why Marxists Oppose Individual Terrorism
An excellent outline of the basic reasons why Marxism and individual terrorism are not
compatible. Our power is in our mass, united action against the oppressor, not in
individual acts of terror which serve as an excuse for increased state repression and
which alienate the masses from the cause of socialism.
Back to top
Marxist Economics:
-
Marxism and the theory of 'Long Waves'
As part of the Trotsky year web site we publish this article by Alan Woods which discusses Kondratiev's theory of the long waves. Trotsky answered Kondratiev back in the 1920s. Alan Woods points out that the movement of the capitalist cycle since then further disproves Kondratiev's ideas.
-
Fashion Victims - Textile and Clothing Workers Worldwide
There's a saying among girls in the slums of Bangladesh: if you're lucky, you'll be a prostitute - if you're unlucky, you'll be a garment worker. The fashion industry is big business. It makes a lot of money - but the workers in the industry don't see much of it. All over the world, textile and clothing workers are poor. Yet they work hard. They say nobody ever got rich though hard work. But it's not true. The people who work hard never got rich through working hard. But the rich got rich by getting other people like us to work hard for them. That's the way of the world under capitalism. (March 17, 2000)
- Marxism in Our Time
Leon Trotsky's introduction to the book "The Living Thoughts of Karl Marx"
has long been out of print. The book itself, complied by Otto Ruhle in 1939, was an
abridged version in Marx's own words of volume one of Capital. Trotsky's introduction took
up the defence of Marxism, analysing the development of capitalism in the Twentieth
century and showing the continuing relevance of Marx's writings and theories. It
represents a brief, but brilliant exposition of Marxism. In order to bring Trotsky's
defence of Marxism up to date, this pamphlet was published in 1994 with an introduction by Alan Woods and Ted Grant,
which draws upon extensive contemporary material. In addition, we include a supplementary
article by Trotsky entitled "Once
Again on the 'Crisis of Marxism'".
Back to top
Work in the Mass Organizations:
- On the Mass Organizations
"The entire history of the international workers' movement in the twentieth
century has furnished us with a wealth of material to show the way in which the working
class and its organisations develop. From the study of the workers' movement over several
decades, I drew the following inescapable conclusion: that when the mass of the workers
enter the arena of struggle to change society, they inevitably gravitate, in the first
instance, to the traditional mass organisations. The mass of the workers--and even the
greater part of the advanced elements of the class--do not learn from books, but only from
experience, and particularly the experience of great events. Where a strong and educated
Marxist tendency is present, the process can be considerably shortened. This was the case
with the Bolshevik Party in 1917." By Ted Grant (April 26th, 1999).
Also available as a pamphlet!
Back to top
|
