Marxism is both the theory and the political practice (that is, the
praxis) derived from the work of
Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels. Any political practice or theory that is based on an interpretation of the works of Marx and Engels may be called Marxism; this includes different forms of politics and thought such as those of
Communist Parties and
Communist states, as well as academic research across many fields. And while there are many theoretical and practical differences among the various forms of Marxism, most forms of Marxism share:an attention to the material conditions of people's lives, and
social relations among peoplea belief that people's
consciousness of the conditions of their lives reflects these material conditions and relationsan understanding of
class in terms of differing
economic relations of production, and as a particular position within such relationsan understanding of material conditions and social relations as historically malleablea view of
history according to which
class struggle, the evolving conflict between classes with opposing interests, structures each historical period and drives historical changea sympathy for the
working class or
proletariatand a belief that the ultimate interests of workers best match those of humanity in general. The main points of contention among Marxists are the degree to which they are committed to a workers'
revolution as the means of achieving human
emancipation and
enlightenment, and the actual mechanism through which such a revolution might occur and succeed. Marxism is correctly but not exhaustively described as a variety of
Socialism being by far the variety for which there is the most historical experience both as a revolutionary movement and as the basis of actual governments. Some Marxists, however, such as
Trotskyists, argue that no actual state has ever fully realized Marxist principles; other Marxists, such as
Autonomists claim Marxist principles cannot be realized in any state construct seen through the 20th Century, and would necessitate a
reconceptualization of the notion of state itself.
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