2. Marx’s ideas in a nutshell 1.Marxism is a theory of politics, economics and history developed by Karl Marx in the mid-1800s. 2.It argues that society progresses through phases, which are determined by ownership of capital. 3.Those who control capital essentially control society, while exploiting the workers to increase profit.

3. Primitive or tribal-communism In this phase, humans lived in small communities and lived a quasi-communistic existence. Both work and resources were shared, while decisions were made communally.

4. Karl Marx, German philosopher - He believed society progressed through different historical phases

5. Slavery Ancient societies were strongly hierarchical and based on ownership of land and control of labour. The ruling classes relied extensively on slave labour, drawn from the local population or from prisoners of military conquests.

6. Feudalism A system that evolved in the medieval period, where kings and lords owned capital (the land) and permitted its use by peasant farmers, in return for their obedience, tributes and military service.

7. Capitalism The industrialised system that developed in the 18th century, based on private ownership of capital, like land and factories. Capitalists are driven by the profit motive: in essence, the desire to make more money. In capitalism, labour is supplied by paid workers who are often exploited by the capitalists.

8. Socialism A system that Marx claimed would replace capitalism by revolution. Socialism would begin with the formation of a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’, to rule on behalf of the working classes. Private capital would be seized by the state; bourgeois privileges and systems of control would be abolished.

9. Communism A utopian society without classes, divisions of wealth, exploitation or suffering. Members would provide what they could and receive what they need. The instruments of state, like government bureaucracies, police and military, would become unnecessary and would “wither away”

11. Problems with applying Marxist ideas to Russia Marx’s conditions for socialist revolution did not apply well to Russia, which was not yet an advanced industrialised economy Lenin adapted Marxist theory, claiming that socialist revolution in Russia was possible if the capitalist-democratic phase was bypassed