In your own words: What is Marxism?

I am just curious the idea that people have when they say it.

Copying from wikipedia is cheating and misses the point. I would like to know what people think it is.

What is Marxism to you?

Mr. Wolf2009-11-06T12:47:40Z

Favorite Answer

A knee jerk catch phrase that people who have no idea about the teachings of Karl Marx use to insult people.

cannonball2009-11-06T22:58:31Z

Marxism is an economic system developed by Karl Marx. In this system, the economy is centralized and almost always planned. It has a few major requirements- It must be done on a small scale. It can only work on a local level. It must be a system in which people live in small communities (communes) across the land. But there probably is no limit as to how many communes can exist throughout the world. People in these communes will all benefit from the ideas and labor and expertise in the community. No job will be more important than any other job and the typical hierarchical power structures found in other societies will not exist at these communes. From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. People will look out for one another and provide for one another at all costs (housing, security, health care, food, education, etc.) otherwise the community will fail. The land and labor will be shared by all in the local community. Poverty and exploitation and the social problems that always come along with poverty will no longer exist. Also, the state must wither away as these communes function for a period of time. In other words, the state will not dictate how these communes function because the state will no longer exist. There will be no room for a totalitarian state because the state will no longer exist. If a totalitarian state does form and control the economy, then that simply is not communism according to Marx.

Clintwood East2009-11-06T20:57:21Z

It's based on the religion of, and the writing of, Karl Marx. It is about spreading the wealth. Where have you heard that phrase before? Very recently, and he's in the White House now. Hillary Clinton, I believe, is another Karl Marx follower

Anonymous2009-11-06T20:47:12Z

Total control of every entity including your career/live by the government/dictator just like we have in Saudi Arabia or some Eastern European nations
I am glad to be born here in the US i love this country

?2009-11-06T20:50:37Z

In a nutshell, it is revolutionary socialism; communism. Looks a lot like the way this country is headed, with the government taking over private industry, and health care.

MR

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