Marxism Reading Questions

What was the most fundamental accomplishment of the revolutions of 1848?

Serfdom is abolished everywhere in Europe except for Russia.

Comte saw human history as a series of what three stages?

Stage 1, theological (supernatural explanation for everything), stage 2, metaphysical (there are some mysterious limitations that cannot be explained by science), scientific (science answers all questions)

How was war viewed by European leaders of the later half of the 19th century, and how did it differ from the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century after the fall of Napoleon?

Before 1789 (civil warfare where troops tried to out maneuver other troops like chess), Napoleon (guerilla warfare where you crush enemy who opposes your ideals), 1815-1848 (avoid war in order to keep the balance of power in Europe), post 1848 (war is a tool to be used to achieve a goal.

What are the three sources of Marxism?

Hegelian philosophy, British industrial revolution, French revolution

True freedom is only possible when?

Private property is destroyed

Religion is considered to be a _____.

Drug

Workers should be loyal to their __________even before their country.

own class (proletariat)

Capitalism was constantly menaced by ______, creating constant ______, and the constant search for new _______.

overproduction, crisis, markets

Hegel emphasized ideas as a means for social change, Marx emphasized _______ _______ as the source of social change.

material conditions

What two classes clashed in the 17th through 19th century, now giving way to what two classes clashing?

Noble vs. serf gives way to working class vs. bourgeois

Explain the shrinking of the bourgeoisie, and the growth of the proletariat.

As industry grow it will focus into the hands of a few bourgeoise who gain monopolies over an industry therefore shrinking the bourgeoisie, with this, the proletariat will grow with new additions and more factories which will result in a revolution that overthrows the government.

What form of government will result from the overthrow of the bourgeoisie by the proletariat?

Socialist dictatorship of the proletariat

What will eventually happen to this government? (The state)

It will wither away into a classless society of communism

Why is it that the workers and labor unions must be kept in a belligerent mood for this revolution to be carried out?

He sees periods of social calm not as peace but as interludes between battles, and the proletariat must not let themselves be fooled, they need to be ready and able to detect underlying class interest.

Why does Marx not consider his version of socialism to be utopian? What word might he use to describe his type of socialism?

Because his is based on science while earlier forms of socialism were based on idealism, or the belief that human would become more sympathetic, scientific.