Neo-Marxism

Neo-Marxism
● Neo Marxists believe in Marxist theory of- Components of State
1. Class Division
2. Exploitation of the proletariat class by the bourgeoisie class.
● But Neo-Marxists differ from Marx with respect to following 1. Bureaucracy( Neo
ideas- Marxists called it
1. Ideas about revolution Political Class)
● Neo- Marxists will explain why revolution never happened and 2. Leaders of the
why it will not happen in future. government( Ministers)
2. Concepts regarding State 3. Institutions of the State
● They support the idea of autonomy of the State.
● They also will reject the Marxist idea that State will wither
away.
Neo-Marxism
Marx on autonomy of state

Marxist idea of State

Before Revolution
Control the
● Instrument of exploitation Capitalists state
● Reflection of base/Dependent on the Core

Relative autonomy of the state Revolution The state will act in

autonomous manner
● According to Marx state becomes relatively
autonomous only during the time of revolution.
● After revolution the proletariat class controls After Revolution
the state. Control the
Proletariat class
● State is coercive in nature and thus utilised by state
the proletariat class to avoid counter revolution.
Neo-Marxism
Some basic tenets of Neo Marxism It remains associated with both
classes. It keeps on doing welfare for
1. Merger of the Base and Superstructure workers but remains inclined to
● Unlike Marx, Neo Marxists believe that the base( factors capitalists
of production) is completely merged with the Political
superstructure( political ideas, religious beliefs etc) class
● It means two people can have similar economic interest
but different political ideologies and vice versa.
2. State is an autonomous unit
● State is not essentially controlled by the capitalist class.
● But the state is always inclined in favour of capitalist
class.
● Objective of the state is to maintain its own power. Capitalist Proletariat
● Political Class wants to maintain its autonomy and Class Class
power.
Neo-Marxism
Why revolution did not happen?

1. Working Class has not evolved into a revolutionary movement( Class in itself to
Class for itself).
2. Economic Class interest is relatively autonomous from ideology and politics.
● Marx said that a person’s economic interest will determine his political interest
and ideologies. But Neo Marxists say that economic interest may not necessarily
guide political interests.
3. Working class doesn’t hold basic position within socialism. Other classes like
peasants, traders, middle class also play equally important role.
4. Political class engage with both classes.
5. A range of movement started like feminist movement, ecological peace
movement that weakened proletariat movement.
Neo-Marxism Does
welfare of
proletariat
class to get
Commentary- Why revolution didn’t happen? its support
Political Thus it also
Naturally
● As per Marx the middle class belonged to proletariat class maintains
inclined
class and they will demand change in the bourgeoisie its
system. autonomy
● But Neo Marxist say that middle every class will
demand change. But since middle class is of varied
type their demand also will remain varied.
● Different section in middle class is demanding change
in different direction and thus change did not come.
● According to the Neo Marxists the contradictions and
exploitation is not visible in the society.
Capitalist Proletariat
Class Class
Neo-Marxism
Habermas idea of struggle for
legitimacy of state
● Habermas is Neo Marxist
thinker.
● According to him the State
wants to-
1. Maintain its autonomy
2. Relative independence
3. Legitimacy- that state is
needed and its should not
wither away.
Habermas explanation of Neoliberalism
● The State is always under the pressure of the Capitalist class
since the capitalist class gives fund to state and owns wealth.
● But due to popularity of democracy in modern times the state
has to show that it is working for the poor and masses.
● This leads to struggle for legitimacy of state.
● Thus it promotes the idea of Neoliberalism.
Neoliberalism-
● State should take political function and basic welfare function
that too through market mechanism.
● Economy should be unregulated and controlled by market.
Neo-Marxism
Habermas idea of struggle for
legitimacy of state
Political
class
● So according to Habermas Neoliberalism
a means to maintain legitimacy by state
in the eyes of masses.
● At the same time major factors of
production may be surrendered by the
state to the capitalists in order to avoid
capitalist pressure.
● So neoliberalism is a shock absorber.
● But Habermas says that Political class
won’t be able to maintain legitimacy for
long. Capitalist Proletariat
Class Class
Neo-Marxism
Important points

● Nicos Poulantzas and Ralph Miliband are two important Neo Marxists.
● I will give their concepts briefly in the notes.
● Neo Marxism is not directly in our syllabus.
● But we can utilise the concepts of Neo Marxism in following ways-
● f there is any question like
Q.Discuss Marxist notion of state- In the end must mention Neo Marxist notion of state.
Q. Examine Marxist notion of state-First explain Marxist notion of state. Criticise it by utilising
representative democracy( state represents will of people), liberalism( state is essential), Modern
liberal( state ensures welfare of people), Neo marxist notion- independent entity and has its own
interest, Gramsci- hegemony
Q. Examine liberal notion of State- Discuss from all three negative liberalism, positive
liberalism, neoliberalism point of view.Criticise from Marxist point of view, Also write neo
Marxist idea that state wants to side with capitalist but involves in welfare act to maintain
legitimacy.
Neo-Marxism
Important points
Q. Discuss Marxist notion of revolution?
In the end explain why revolution didn’t happen
till now-
Marx- Consciousness is yet to develop.
Gramsci- Counter hegemony( war of position
and war of manoeuvre- organic intellectuals,
historical block, revolution from above)
Neo Marxists- The consciousness will not build
due to divergent interest of middle class.
Note-
1. Notes of Neo Marxism will be
given in PDF form in Political
Science batch Whatsapp group.
2. Doubts will be taken through
conference call.
3. Those not able to join
conference call can call me after
informing me about the time
4. We will upload our videos on our
portal once it is developed.
5. Till then videos will come on
Youtube.
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