Marxism

[ mahrk-siz-uh m ]
/ ˈmɑrk sɪz əm /

noun

the system of economic and political thought developed by Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, especially the doctrine that the state throughout history has been a device for the exploitation of the masses by a dominant class, that class struggle has been the main agency of historical change, and that the capitalist system, containing from the first the seeds of its own decay, will inevitably, after the period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, be superseded by a socialist order and a classless society.

Origin of Marxism

First recorded in 1895–1900; Marx + -ism

Words related to marxism

communism, totalitarianism, socialism, collectivism, Maoism, Leninism, Bolshevism, Fabianism

Example sentences from the Web for marxism

British Dictionary definitions for marxism

Marxism
/ (ˈmɑːksɪzəm) /

noun

the economic and political theory and practice originated by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that holds that actions and human institutions are economically determined, that the class struggle is the basic agency of historical change, and that capitalism will ultimately be superseded by communism

Cultural definitions for marxism (1 of 2)

Marxism

The doctrines of Karl Marx (see also Marx) and his associate Friedrich Engels on economics, politics, and society. They include the notion of economic determinism — that political and social structures are determined by the economic conditions of people. Marxism calls for a classless society (see class), where all means of production are commonly owned, a system to be reached as an inevitable result of the struggle between capitalists and workers. (See communism.)

Cultural definitions for marxism (2 of 2)

Marxism

The doctrines of Karl Marx (see also Marx) and his associate Friedrich Engels on economics, politics, and society. They include the notion of economic determinism — that political and social structures are determined by the economic conditions of people. Marxism calls for a classless society in which all means of production are commonly owned (communism), a system to be reached as an inevitable result of the struggle between the leaders of capitalism and the workers.