classical Marxism

Historical Context of International Relations Theories

  • Relations theories have been evolving since the 19th century.
  • Focus on modern forms of international relations theories in upcoming weeks.
  • The concept of political philosophy was used by scholars to understand politics before the scientific approach emerged in the 20th century.

Political Philosophy

Definition

  • Political philosophy examines the nature of politics through the lens of human behavior.

Key Idea

  • Understanding politics requires understanding human beings.

Realism

Overview

  • Originates from Thomas Hobbes.
  • Sees human beings as inherently selfish, violent, and self-interested.
  • Explains the rise of the state as a means to prevent violence between individuals.
  • Anarchy is a core theme:
    • State of Nature: Describes a chaotic existence where humans act on violent instincts.
    • Nation States: Characterized similarly to individuals under realism, as selfish entities in a competitive international sphere.

Implication

  • Realism reflects current global events and the behavior of nations.

Liberalism

Overview

  • Emerged as a response to realism, influenced by philosophers like Adam Smith.

Key Concepts

  • Views nation-states as rational actors focused on cooperation and the common good.
  • Posits that states can create mutually beneficial policies instead of engaging in violent competition.
  • Gradually shifted from the individual focus to that of the state.

Alternative Perspective on Human Nature

Key Concept

  • Rejects the idea of a fixed human nature.

Prominent Theorists

  • Immanuel Kant and Karl Marx: Argue that human nature is not predetermined but shaped by society and its structures.

Implications for Change

  • If social conditions improve, so too can human behavior.
  • This view suggests possibilities for liberation through enlightened governance.

Marxism

Overview

  • Emerging in the context of industrial capitalist society in the 19th century.
  • Central to Marx's theory is the relationship between society and the economy.

Concepts

  • Means of Production: Central to understanding political systems. Marx argues that the economy shapes societal dynamics and human behavior.
  • Historical Context: Marx wrote during a time of extreme inequality and exploitation driven by industrial capitalism.
    • Industrialists amassed vast wealth while workers suffered through harsh conditions (80-hour work weeks, lack of safety regulations).

Class Theory

  • Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class, owners of the means of production.
  • Proletariat: The working class, exploited and forced to work under oppressive conditions.

Class Conflict

  • Historical tensions lead to revolutions, aiming to dismantle class hierarchies and bring about the end of exploitation.

Material Dialectic

Definition

  • Concept explaining how economies evolve through conflicts between opposing classes.

Structure

  • Old economic systems (e.g., feudalism) face revolution, leading to new systems (e.g., capitalism).
  • The dialectic involves:
    • Opposing Forces: Class struggle leads to societal transformation.
    • Process: Feudalism transitions into capitalism through conflict and revolution.

Class Dynamics

  • In capitalism, the bourgeoisie controls wealth through capital rather than land.
  • The fluidity of capital allows the bourgeoisie to maximize profits globally, creating an international class dynamic.

Revolution and Utopia

Outcomes of the Dialectic

  • Predicts a working-class revolution would overthrow the bourgeoisie, leading to a classless society.
  • A vision of socialist utopia emerges: a world without exploitation, governed by communal benefit instead of profit.

Praxeis (theoretical action)

  • Marx emphasizes that understanding theory must lead to revolutionary action.
  • Difficulties in mobilizing the proletariat create tensions in Marx's predictions.

Marxist Views on International Relations

Disconnection with International Politics

  • Early Marxists viewed domestic class struggle as paramount; international relations were seen as secondary.
  • The rise of capitalism dictates the structure of international relations rather than the other way around.

Marx's Critique of State System

  • The state is a tool for capitalists to maintain exploitation; it is not an independent entity.
  • As capitalism wanes, so too does the relevance of the state.

The 1914 Context and Response

Prelude to World War I

  • Marxist expectations about an international working-class consciousness before the imminent war failed.
  • The working class displayed strong nationalistic sentiments, contradicting Marxist theory on class solidarity.

The Marxist Reaction

  • Lenin and his followers argued for a new revolutionary strategy to take state power directly, particularly during chaotic times, exemplified by the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Conclusion

  • This lecture outlines Marx's ideas and their implications for both domestic and international relations, setting the stage for further discussion on Marxism-Leninism and modern interpretations in subsequent lectures.