Varieties of Neo Marxian Theory

It suggests that the economy dictates all other aspects of society, such as politics and religion.

Economic determinism

Economic determinism became a dominant interpretation of Marxism, particularly during the

Second Communist International (1889–1914), a period marked by capitalism’s fluctuations.

They believed that capitalist structures compelled workers to organize, fight for better conditions, and ultimately overthrow capitalism, leading to socialism.

Economic determinism

• It suggested that individuals’ actions were predetermined by economic structures, making independent thought and activism irrelevant.

Economic determinism

Thinkers of economic determinism

Friedrich Engels, Karl Kautsky, and Eduard Bernstein

It emphasizes the subjective aspects of social life, drawing from Hegel’s influence on Marx.

Hegelian Marxism

Key thinkers of hegelian marxism

Two key thinkers, Georg Lukács and Antonio Gramsci, played a significant role in this perspective.

Contribution of Georg Lukacs

Reification

Class Consciousness and False Consciousness

Class struggle must become conscious and intentional to overthrow capitalism.

refers to the process by which social relationships and human labor are treated as things or objects, rather than as dynamic human interactions.

Reification

the awareness of one’s class position and interests.

Class consciousness

meaning they do not fully understand their economic and social reality.

False consciousness

Antonio Gramsci and his contributions:

rejected economic determinism.

the masses must develop a revolutionary ideology

Intellectuals play a key role in shaping revolutionary thought and spreading ideas to the working clas

hegemony

which refers to cultural leadership exercised by the ruling class.

Hegemony

allows capitalism to persist because people accept its values as "common sense."

Cultural dominance

developed by German neo-Marxists associated with the Frankfurt School, emerged as a response to Marxist economic determinism and positivist approaches in social sciences.

Critical theory

Intellectuals under critical theory

e Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, Herbert Marcuse, and Jürgen Habermas.

critical theorists rejected its mechanical determinism and sought to expand its scope beyond economics, focusing instead on culture and ideology.

Critique of Marxian Theory

opposed positivism’s claim of value-neutral scientific inquiry, it reinforces the status quo and ignores human agency.

oCritique of Positivism

criticized for being overly scientific, neglecting individual agency in shaping society.

Critique of Sociology

They highlighted the contradiction of modernity, where apparent rationality leads to irrational social conditions, such as inequality and war.

Critique on modern society

Universities and research institutions were criticized for becoming bureaucratic entities that reinforce existing power structures rather than challenging them.

The knowledge industry

Overall, critical theory shifted Marxist analysis from economic structures to cultural and ideological domination, emphasizing the need for critical awareness to counter systemic oppression.

Critical theorists argue that

societal elites manipulate ideology to maintain power, and culture.

Subjectivity and culture

This method emphasizes understanding

social phenomena in a holistic, historical, and interrelated way.

Dialectics