Marxism, Neo-Marxism, and Dependency Theory

What did Marx say about freedom?

People won freedom to the extent dictated not by their ideals, but by existing productive forces; all emancipation has been based on restricted productive forces.

What did Marx say about productive forces?

The production provided by the forces was insufficient for the whole of society and made development only possible if some satisfied their needs at the expense of others.

What environment do the productive forces create?

Some (minority) obtain the monopoly of development while others (the majority) owing to the constant struggle to satisfy their most essential needs, were excluded from any development.

How does Marx’s perspective fit manifest historically?

Freeman and slaves in antiquity, nobility and serfs in the Middle Ages, bourgeoisie and the proletariat in modern times.

What is the contradictory character of capitalist production?

Social production (i.e. groups of workers producing things for others and not themselves) and private appropriation (profits going to owners of factories not to factory workers); any given capitalist society will have nations that produce and nations that consume and profit.

Define imperialism by Lenin

Reinterpreted Marxist views; a nation will extend its power and dominion over other territories and peoples through direct acquisition, military force, or indirect political and economic control.

What is the first point of imperialism outlined by Lenin?

The concentration of production and capital developed to such a high stage that it created monopolies, which play a decisive role in economic life.

What is the second point of imperialism outlined by Lenin?

The merging of bank capital with industrial capital and the creation, on the basis of this “finance,” of a financial oligarchy.

Define oligarchy

A form of government or power structure in which a small group of elites holds all or most of the political and economic control.

What is the third point of imperialism outlined by Lenin?

The export of capital, which has become extremely important, as distinguished from the export of commodities.

What is the fourth point of imperialism outlined by Lenin?

The formation of international capitalist monopolies which share the world among themselves.

What is the fifth point of imperialism outlined by Lenin?

The territorial division of the whole world among the greatest capitalist powers is completed with the fulfillment of the previous four points.

What does Lenin’s outline of imperialism extend to?

Extends to global imperialism (exploiters and exploited) and colonialism.

How did imperialism/colonialism occur?

Occurred when states, controlled by capitalists, scrambled for captive territories to serve as outlets for excess goods and services that cannot be consumed at home.

What is the neo-imperialism/neocolonialism take?

Newly independent (previously colonized) states had formal sovereignty in that they were now responsible for law and order, schools, health care, and infrastructure, but their resources, markets, and labour were controlled by foreign multinational corporations backed by powerful home countries.

What did Robert Cox say about traditional IR theories?

Was dominated by problem-solving approaches and assumes the permanence of existing political and economic structures, focussing on managing issues within the status quo.

What is Robert Cox’s Critical theory?

Seeks to uncover how historical processes and social forces shape world orders and state systems; explores the origins and transformation of power structures, exposing dynamics of dominance and resistance.

How does mainstream IR consider Marxism?

Considered extremist and radical but is really the most realistic compared to dominant theories.

What do Robert Cox’s “historical structures” explain?

The interplay between social forces, forms of state, and world orders.

Define historical structures

Not static but dynamic configurations influenced by material conditions, ideas, and institutions.

What does Cox show through the framework of historical structures?

The development of global political and economic orders is shaped by struggles among competing social forces, such as classes and states, which are embedded within changing historical contexts.

Describe the shift in classes after the Cold War

Low class was originally made to scare the middle class into continuing working; no longer needed within capitalism after the Cold War, leading to the loss of the middle class and therefore intelligence.

How does the shift in classes (hidden by new terms such as “high-middle”) explain balance of economy internationally?

West creates a perception of a better life compared to that of states such as China which lack democracy, making us believe our life is the best through manipulation.

Define hegemony as originally described by Gramsci

A system where a dominant class maintains power not solely through coercion, but through consent, embedding its values and norms within social institutions and cultural life.

Define hegemony as redescribed by Robert Cox

Applied to IR, it is the way dominant powers establish and maintain stable international order (mainly through manipulation)

What is domestic hegemony?

Within states, dominant social classes create consent through institutional arrangements and ideological influence.

What is global hegemony?

At the international level, leading states (economically or militarily dominant) project their values, norms, and economic systems globally, gaining widespread consent from other states and social actors.

What are the three interrelated dimensions of hegemony?

Material capabilities (economic and technological resource), ideas (interests and ideologies), institutions (stabilize and perpetuate social orders).

What are some counter-hegemonic movements?

Global Justice Movement and the BRICS Coalition (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).

What is the Global Justice Movement?

Broad coalition of environmental, labor, and social justice groups which challenge the dominance of neoliberal globalization; protests at WTO meetings exemplify this movement.

What is the BRICS Coalition?

Rising powers that challenge the Western-dominated international financial system by creating alternative institutions like the New Development Bank as a counterbalance to the IMF and World Bank.

How does Wallerstein classify states?

Three categories: core states, periphery states, semi-peripheral states

What is dependency theory?

Created by Wallerstein and considered a branch of Marxism in IR, examines certain states and their corporations which dominate international relations; economic rather than political analysis.