POL 315
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MARXISM
Helping to develop class consciousness is the role Marx saw for himself
and his revolutionary colleagues. Calling his followers the vanguard of
the proletariat, Marx advised that their function was to do what they
could to instill in the worker an understanding of the true nature of a
class-driven society. Importantly, Marx did not advocate that
revolutionaries should organize and lead the revolution. He saw their
function as more educative than activist. Once fully aware of their
circumstances, the proletariat would take care of the revolution
themselves. Marx's attitude toward revolution and revolutionaries is
particularly important because, as we shall see in Lenin, who was
supposedly a disciple of the German master, abandoned this rather
passive role for a more activist one.
Proletarian revolution puts an end to the exploitation and oppression by
the bourgeoisie by establishing their dictatorship through collective
ownership of the means of production and gradual withering of the state.
For Marxists the proletarian revolution will resolve permanently all the
contradictions in society. Karl Marx and his followers hold that
proletarian revolution is historically inevitable. The history of human
society is not the product of impersonal forces; it is the result of people's
purposive activity, since people make society, only people can change
society.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Radical change results from a consciousness of reality and direct action.
Thus members of the proletariat must be fully aware of their situation
and take active steps in order to change it. Although a successful
revolution depends ultimately on the economic situation, it requires
human initiative. People must make their own utopia.
5.0 SUMMARY
Proletarian revolution is the political revolution in which the working
class attempts to overthrow the bourgeoisie. For Marxists the proletarian
revolution will resolve permanently all the contradictions in society.
Karl Marx and his followers hold that proletarian revolution is
historically inevitable.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
i. Explain the self serving interest of the vanguard party in socialist
revolution.
ii. Explain the dictatorship of the proletariat.
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