Exploring Neo-Gramcian Theory

Marxist theory was developed as a critical analysis of capitalism in the mid-1800s. The criticism was significant in developing global economies. The critique of capitalism arises from the viewpoint that capitalism is immorally exploitative. Therefore, the criticism provides an alternate form of political and economic system. In this context the essay proposal is developed and is discussed below.

The essay proposes exploration of Neo-Gramcian theory and another new approach called the analytical Marxism. The rationale to select the neo-conflict theories as they are intersection  of both  Marx and Engle’s ideas. Neo-Gramcian theory rejected the Marx’s thesis of class analysis by introducing the plurality of the variables. The analytical Marxism will be analysed together with Althusser’s criticism of Marxism, Habermas’ critique of Marxism (Moore 2010). The rational for choosing the analytical Marxism is it is centered around central themes and principles concerning methodological ideals and approaches.

In 21^st century the Marxist and feminist interventions are receiving new energy by new generations. For instance the institutionalised feminism has made several academic compromises. It dissatisfied several feminist intellectuals and activists (Tsolakis 2010). They essay proposes to identify the failure to incorporate the “feminist insights” into the politics and theory inspired from Marxist in this century using the analytical Marxism. The target is to know if Marxist-feminist theory is useful in critiquing capitalism even in 21^st century using the neo-conflict theories. Similarly there are various argument related to the labour theory of value. Meng (2010) argued that co-evaluation of economy and technology is possible only through labour theory of value and the same is explained by Marx. Therefore, the essay proposal will identify if the tendency to increase constant inputs holds significance as it will decrease the value of good produced.

The research will be conducted using qualitative research methodology. The theories and related arguments will be studied using anti-Marxism books and anti-communism theories. A systemic review will be conducted using databases such as Cochrane, CINHAL, Acedemic Search Premeire, JSTOR, American Psychology PsycINFO, and Scopos. Peer reviewed articles will be searched from 2010-2017 that has intended to criticise Marxist theory. Based on the articles extract relevant to the study topic themes will be generated. Based on the themes it can be concluded if Marxist theory can be criticised in 21^st century.  

1. William, S. (2017). Karl Marx and his theories, Background, The Russian Revolution, SOSE: History Year 9, NSW | Online Education Home Schooling Skwirk Australia. [online] Skwirk.com. Available at: https://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-427_t-1083_c-4188/karl-marx-and-his-theories/nsw/history/the-russian-revolution/background [Accessed 17 Apr. 2017].

The paper discusses the Karl Marx theories and why he was influential. It discussed the theory to have classless society or have equilibrium between the bourgeoisie (rich) and the proletarian (poor). 

Analyzing Analytical Marxism

2.Nick, A., 2017. Marx Continues to Influence 125 Years After His Death | Germany | DW.COM | 14.03.2008. [online] DW.COM. Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/marx-continues-to-influence-125-years-after-his-death/a-3190306 [Accessed 17 Apr. 2017].

In this article the author highlights the Marx view on communism as a last resort for mankind. The author in this paper proves these theories to be wrong. It highlights the wonderfully structured philosophical and economic thoughts that appear to remain relevant as long as capitalists are there.

1. Castree, N., 2015. Capitalism and the Marxist critique of political ecology.

The paper is the outcome of the review of Marxist scholarships over 40 years to address normative questions. It includes questions such as “Is ‘nature’ internal or external to capitalism (or both), a constraint or opportunity (or both)?;”. It criticises Marx’s theories using Smith’s point of view. The author emphasise that Marx has avoided “production of nature”.

1. Beissinger, M.R., 2009. Nationalism and the Collapse of Soviet Communism.Contemporary European History, 18(03), pp.331-347.

In this article, the collapse of soviet communism in 1800 was analysed. As per the article the collapse was outcome of interrelated streams of activity. It led to profound effect of one action in one context on another action in another context.  It highlighted that nationalism played a key role in this collapse.

1. Fuchs, C. and Mosco, V., 2012. Introduction: Marx is back–the importance of Marxist theory and research for critical communication studies today.tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique. Open Access Journal for a Global Sustainable Information Society, 10(2), pp.127-140.

The article highlighted the importance of the Marx’s point of view on critical communication studies. It states that the ideas of Marx were criticised which are not justified. The paper gave an overall framework for special issue “communication, capitalism and critique”. It emphasised that the Marxian analysis are relevant in critical communication.

1. Smith, S. 2017. Marxism, feminism and women’s liberation. [online] SocialistWorker.org. Available at: https://socialistworker.org/2013/01/31/marxism-feminism-and-womens-liberation [Accessed 17 Apr. 2017].

The article pinpointed that Marx did not devote much time to women’s role as labour  in capitalism. In support of Marxist theory explains how it is useful in ending women struggle.

1. O’Connor, J. (2010). Marxism and the three movements of neoliberalism.Critical Sociology,36(5), 691-715.

The paper proposed a framework for understanding the intense research on neo-liberalism. It focused both on the practical and theoretical dimensions. It explains how advanced capitalist nations stopped embracing the socialisation of economic activity. It explained how coercive competition was adopted can reorganise the  accumulation process of social formations.

1. Meng, J., 2010. Labor theory of value and the uncertainty in capitalist economy.Frontiers of Economics in China, 5(4), pp.657-676.

The article supports the labour theory of value of Marx is justified. It explains that the theory uncertain relation between the “means and the end” and the condition and the result of capitalist production. The paper also puts forth the argument against the theory that it does not hold true that only labour can add value to the given commodity. With the technological advancements human well-being is enhanced for instance, machines produce uranium-enriched nuclear power by which millions are enjoying electricity. It is the great value added by the machines. Recruiting hundreds of men without direction gives no meaningful production.

1. Böhm, S., Misoczky, M.C. and Moog, S., 2012. Greening capitalism? A Marxist critique of carbon markets.Organization Studies,33(11), pp.1617-1638.

The article highlights the significance of subjectivity for politics. It emphasise on the Foucault’s analysis of liberal modernity. It explains how global governmentality is based on fundamentally “unreliable premise”. It also explored the subjectivity of neoliberal capitalism.

1. Moore, S., 2010.Marx versus markets. Penn State Press.

According to this paper, Trade unions have more importance in this century than before. It is recognised in wage bargain. The under consumption paradox that is extracting surplus value from labours means giving them upper hand. However, lower wage leads to low consumption capacity. Similarly, the Marxist theory of class holds no value and is evident from the Soviet Union collapse under which communist society failed to establish. This collapse is due to the ruling class and bureaucratisation. Marxism rejected the static models producing a simultaneous outcome.

References

Beissinger, M.R., 2009. Nationalism and the Collapse of Soviet Communism. Contemporary European History, 18(03), pp.331-347.

Böhm, S., Misoczky, M.C. and Moog, S., 2012. Greening capitalism? A Marxist critique of carbon markets. Organization Studies, 33(11), pp.1617-1638.

Castree, N., 2015. Capitalism and the Marxist critique of political ecology.

Fuchs, C. and Mosco, V., 2012. Introduction: Marx is back–the importance of Marxist theory and research for critical communication studies today. tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique. Open Access Journal for a Global Sustainable Information Society, 10(2), pp.127-140.

Meng, J., 2010. Labor theory of value and the uncertainty in capitalist economy. Frontiers of Economics in China, 5(4), pp.657-676.

Moeller, K., 2016. A critical feminist and race critique of Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-first Century. British journal of sociology of education, 37(6), pp.810-822.

Moore, S., 2010. Marx versus markets. Penn State Press.

Nick, A., 2017. Marx Continues to Influence 125 Years After His Death | Germany | DW.COM | 14.03.2008. [online] DW.COM. Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/marx-continues-to-influence-125-years-after-his-death/a-3190306 [Accessed 17 Apr. 2017].

O’Connor, J. (2010). Marxism and the three movements of neoliberalism. Critical Sociology, 36(5), 691-715.

Smith, S. 2017. Marxism, feminism and women’s liberation. [online] SocialistWorker.org. Available at: https://socialistworker.org/2013/01/31/marxism-feminism-and-womens-liberation [Accessed 17 Apr. 2017].

Tsolakis, A., 2010. Opening up open Marxist theories of the state: A historical materialist critique. The British Journal of Politics & International Relations, 12(3), pp.387-407.

William, S. (2017). Karl Marx and his theories, Background, The Russian Revolution, SOSE: History Year 9, NSW | Online Education Home Schooling Skwirk Australia. [online] Skwirk.com. Available at: https://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-427_t-1083_c-4188/karl-marx-and-his-theories/nsw/history/the-russian-revolution/background [Accessed 17 Apr. 2017].