AQA A Level Politics - Socialism - Marx & Engels

Historical Context- Marx & Engels

-Writing at the height of the Industrial Revolution.

-M&E researched the poor living and working conditions of cities, e.g. Manchester.

-Argued that capitalism had lead to the exploitation of the working classes.

Human Nature- Marx & Engels

-Humans are naturally cooperative, altruistic and fraternal.

-However, people were not acting in this manner as they had been corrupted by the 'false consciousness' of the bourgeois values in the capitalist systems.

Society- Marx & Engels

-Capitalist society is driven by class conflict and division.

-Socialism and communism will destroy class boundaries and usher in a perfect social system based on equality, co-operation and fraternity.

The State- Marx & Engels

-The existing state had to be swept away as it was a tool of the capitalist classes.

The socialist state would be strong and rule in the interests of all.

Eventually the state would wither away in the communist phase of development.

The Economy- Marx & Engels

-The economy should be based on common ownership.

-Surplus will be reinvested to the 'benefit of all' rather than ending up in the pockets of rich capitalists.