What Are The Key Concepts And Principles Of Marxism With Educational Implications

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What are the Key Concepts and Principles of Marxism with Educational Implications

Marxism is the philosophy founded by Karl Marx who was a German philosopher. It is a social, political and economic philosophy. It focuses on capitalists and the working class and the difficulties between them. Marxism as a philosophy teaches to obey authority where the society is ruled by the elite class. It gives rise to class inequality and believe capitalism is the source of evil in society.

In the words of Karl Marx,

“At a certain stage of development, the material productive forces of society come into conflict with the existing relations of production or—this merely expresses the same thing in legal terms—with the property relations within the framework of which they have operated hitherto. From forms of development of the productive forces these relations turn into their fetters. Then begins an era of social revolution.”

Concept and Principles of Marxism

i). It believes in class struggle between the elite class and working class where the former rule the latter in society.
ii). It encourages an authoritative society where citizens are expected to obey the rules and laws.
iii). It focuses on class inequality and acceptance of hierarchy.
iv). Class struggle would create conflict and ultimately lead to revolution.
v). The emphasis is given on exploitation and oppression.
vi). Marxism gives the greatest importance to the value of labour.
vii). It is considered to respect public property.
vii). There is absence of private property according to Marxism theory.
viii). It looks at the outcome of capitalism on labor, productivity, and economic development.

Educational Implications of Marxism

i). Equal education should be provided to both men and women.
ii). Make education equal for all irrespective of caste, creed, colour, sex, religion, etc and giving opportunities to everyone.
iii). Education should be universal and compulsory.
iv). It supports secular education.

Karl Marx says : ‘Education means to us three things:

(a) Intellectual Development,
(b) Physical Development,
(c) Polytechnised Education which will give knowledge relative to the General Sciences and principles of all productive processes’.