How Marxism theory relate classism conflict with Capitalist system?

 

Karl Marx, the doctrine states that the class struggle is one of the sole reasons for historical change, the introduction of the Capitalist System. He introduces the labor theory of value and explains the transition from labor exploitation to a Socialist system.   

 CONTENTS :

1. What is Capitalism? Theory of Karl Marx. 

2. The change in society from Capitalist to Socialist?

3. Whether Nepal follows Capitalist form of Government?

Marx set out his intellectual framework in his book Das Kapital: Volume 1 (Marx.1867) was published in his lifetime, Volume 2 and 3 were completed and published after Marx's death by his collaborator Friedrich Engels. Marx and Engels set out their main thrust in the Communist Manifesto (Marx and Engels, 1848).[1] This manifesto opens with a review of the existing conditions of society. It goes on to show how gradually the old feudal division of classes has disappeared, and how modern society is divided simply into two classes i.e,  Capitalists or bourgeois class, and the Proletariat.

Marx detailed talks about the impact Capitalism had on labor, economy, and productivity and purport the labor of the working class in the context of worker revolution to over-rule Capitalism and adopt Communism. He further states that the Bourgeois class was exploiting the Proletariat class which resulted in massive class conflict. He believed that the class conflict would result in overthrowing of classism and the introduction of revolution by overthrowing the Capitalist class and Proletariats would conquer the economy of the country by adopting Socialism.

How did Marx relate his theory to classism conflict with the Capitalist system?

WHAT IS CAPITALISM? 

 In his book Das capital, he criticized the business class for exploiting the lower class i.e, Workers.  Marx's conflict theory divided society into two classes  - (a.) The bourgeoisie, are the business owners who invest cash in business, factories and who control the means of production in the Capitalist Market, and (b.) the Proletariat, are the working class, laborers whose effort goes into production and transforms raw commodities into valuable economic goods. As per his theory, the Bourgeoisie class was exploiting Proletariat in a sense, the business owner were only providing monthly incentives to the workers. However, the workers were the ones to put in hard labor and were responsible for the factory outcome. For Marx, the laborers of factories, buildings, and materials were not appreciated by the Business class in a way that all the profits arising out of the hardships of the Working class were enjoyed by the Business class, whereas the working class was provided with the minimum monthly wages irrespective of their profits. This resulted in unfair practices between the Business class and Workers who were exploited massively by the Business Owners. The Bourgeoisie also employ social institutions, including government, media, academia, organized religion,[1] and banking and financial systems, as tools and weapons against the Proletariat with the goal of maintaining their position of power and privilege. Thus, according to Marxism Theory, the inequalities in the class and exploitative economic relations will lead to a revolution in which the working class defeats the business class, seizes the power of the means of production, and the concept of capitalism ceases to exist.

Other deliberated that all the results of a good capitalist system were due to the efforts of the working class, for which they weren’t credited and the profit carried out of the production of raw materials were enjoyed by the business class irrespective of the efforts of the Working class. He further stated that if the business class were to be given all the profits then the working class would never improve in their status. However, he argued that capitalism will collapse as to stand in the competitive market, the small enterprises will collaborate with larger conglomerates. As the competition is already high, the production price will be set low and would also result in laying off of unexpected numbers of employees, Which will also result in protests in the society and resentment. Thus, it might result in the capitalist going into bankruptcy which will automatically lead to a greater number of proletarians being jobless. He shifted the focus stating that the main objective of the capitalist system was to distribute wealth to everyone in the society but as it matures with time, the result of capitalism would be an unavoidable crisis.  Again, Marx through his theory came out with a solution for the working-class to be free from the exploitation of the capitalist where, he believed that, if the workers had to form a socialist society where all property was socially controlled then only the workers would be free themselves from the exploitation of the capitalist class. 

Marx, the law had a negative impact on the capitalist society as the concept of private ownership and assets played a dramatic role in the lives of the bourgeoisie and proletarians. Not only that, but Marxism theory also talks about the methodology of science and philosophy.

                    Class theory is basically Marx's prediction with respect to private ownership, where he dictates that the classism which exists now will be eliminated in the future and the working class would overthrow the Business class by collective ownership, which will invite socialism and then after communism will be adapted as a result, the social differences in different classes would no longer exist in the society.

  DOES NEPAL FALL UNDER THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT?

Nepal is guided by its law of the land, i.e, the Constitution of Nepal, 2072. Its preamble starts with "We, the Sovereign People of Nepal", which implies to the Rule of law where all the citizens are equal before the law of the land and promotes the idea of Democracy. Further, the second paragraph enumerates the Right to Autonomy and self-rules i.e, Independence and freedom to the citizens. Furthermore, the fourth paragraph eradicates all forms of discrimination and oppression created by the Feudalistic, Autocratic, Centralized, Unitary system of Governance. In addition to that, para 5 gives a foundation for promoting and protecting social and cultural solidarity and maintenance of harmony and unity in diversity to build an egalitarian society founded on proportional inclusive, and participatory principles in order to ensure economic equality, prosperity, and social justice, "by eliminating discrimination based on class, caste, region, language, religion and gender and all forms of the caste-based untouchability, and explicitly mentions for Nepal to be committed to socialism based on democratic norms and values including the people's competitive multiparty democratic system of governance, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, adult franchise, periodic elections, full freedom of the press, and the independent, impartial and competent judiciary and concept of Rule of Law, and build a prosperous nation.

                    Further, under fundamental rights, A. 17 provides for the Right to freedom, 

                    A.18 talks about the Right to Equality 

                 A. 18(4) prohibition on the discrimination on the ground of gender with regards to the remuneration and social security for the same work." 

           U/a. 24(4), restricts any sort of discrimination at a workplace with or without making untouchability on the ground of caste. 

              U/a. 29(4) clearly express on "no one shall be forced to work against his or her will", 

               Article 34 talks about the right to labor where every labor shall have the right to fair trade and practice, and have a right to receiving remuneration, facilities, and contributory social solidarity.  

             Also, Part 4, Directive Principles, Policies and obligations of the state, u/art. 51 (d) talks of the guidelines on the state relating to economy, industry, and commerce, and similarly, Art. 51 (i) bars guidelines on the state relating to labor and employment.         

              Thus, as per the provisions under the Constitution of Nepal, this clearly depicts that Nepal doesn't follow the capitalist form of government and is more inclined towards the socialist form. The CON, 2072 explicitly mentions for Nepal to be a secular country.

              The Constitution of Nepal goes hand in hand with various Principles :

                    1. Separation of Power,

                    2. Rule of Law

                    3. Check and Balance Principle,

                    4. Independence of Judiciary,

                    5. Principle of Natural Justice, and many more.

                                  To add on, various  commission has been established under the ambit of the Constitution (under part 27) :  

                 A.252 National women Commission, 

                 A. 255 National Dalit Commission,

                 A. 258 National Inclusion Commission,

                 A. 261 Indigenous Nationalities Commission, 

                 A. 262 Madhesi Commission,

                 A. 263 Tharu Commission,

                  A. 264 Muslim Commission 

              Besides the provisions stated under the Constitution of Nepal, 2074, there is various act that works alongside to cut capitalism within the Companies. Such acts like Trade Union Act, 2049, Company Act, 2031, labor act, 2074 provides for the provisions of formation of a trade union, provision of leaves to be allowed to the employee, remuneration rights, provision for a trainee, and apprentice, right to strike on behalf of an employee, right to lockouts and retrenchments. Unlike that of the ideology of capitalism where the working class wasn't accredited for their works, the provision in aforesaid acts helps in safeguarding the rights and interests of the employee against the employer. however, what is provided in the acts and statutes is what differs in reality. 

        JURISPRUDENTIAL ASPECT OF MARX'S THEORY

                  Marx is known as the father of scientific socialism as he was a communist who introduced the concept of socialism. For Marx, Revolution in society takes place in a form of change. The change that is noticed in the society follows a pattern/method i.e, the Dialectical Method.  “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”[1]

                 However, the concept of the Dialectical Method was borrowed from German Political thinker G.W.F Hegal. According to Hegel, Idea is supreme and any change in Idea will bring changes within the society. Thus, the changes observed in society are through the Dialectical method. While explaining Dialectical Method, Hegel's emphasis, for a change to take place in a society, an Idea is first originated i.e, Thesis, which is not perfect or complete on its own. Hegel elaborates that the Ideas might not consist of all possible elements. Therefore, another idea is formed where the absent Ideas in the thesis are collectively mentioned which is called Anti-thesis. Similarly, the idea formed correlating with the absence of ideas in Anti-thesis is called Synthesis and this process goes on a cycle which is called Dialectic Method. Hegel concluded the Dialectical Method connoting that the cycle goes on and on and the final Idea will be of God. Hegel correlating ideas with Divine forces seemed a bit impractical due to which his idea of Dialectical Method became Unscientific.

            As aforesaid, Marx is known as the father of Scientific Socialism. After pronouncing Hegel's Dialectic Method as Unscientific, Marx borrowed Hegel's method and combines it with his Materialism Theory to which the concept of Dialectical Materialism is formed as it can be said that the Materialist Philosophy is born as of reaction of Idealism Philosophy. The only yet major differences between these two theories as per Hegels, “Idea “ is the essence of the universe and any change in the Idea will bring change in the society whereas per Marx, “Matter” is the essence of the universe and any change in the matter/objects will bring changes in the society. Therefore, Marx took the basic background of Hegel's theory and correlated the change in society with the change in the matter. This theory of Marx’s is known as “Dialectical Materialism”

                   Like Hegel, Marx explained his ideology in a similar manner where Hegel related the change occurring in the society is due to the change in Ideas, however, Marx argued that the change that is experienced within the society is due to the change in the “Matter” and related this theory with Thesis, Anti-Thesis, and Synthesis. 

                   The premises from which we begin are not arbitrary ones, but real premises from which abstraction can be made only in the imagination. They are the real individuals, their activity, and their material conditions of life, These premises can thus be established in a purely empirical way[1]

                   Similar to Hegels, Marx while explaining Dialectical Materialism emphasized, for a change to take place in a society, there must be a change in a “matter” i.e, Thesis, which is not perfect or complete on its own. Marx further elaborates that Matter might not consist of all possible elements. Therefore, another idea is formed where the absent Ideas in the thesis are collectively mentioned which is called Anti-thesis. Similarly, the idea formed correlating with the absence of ideas in Anti-thesis is called Synthesis and this process goes on a cycle which is called Dialectic Method. Hegel concluded the Dialectical Method connoting that the cycle goes on and on and the final Idea will be of God.

                 Thus, due to this elaboration Marx talks about Historical Dialectical Materialism within which he states that whenever there is a change in the matter within the society, invites change in the society. This is why the application of dialectical materialism is learned through Historical Materialism as Historical Materialism is the study of taking dialectic materialism and applying it to historical analysis.

[ As the purpose of this Blog is to educate the readers on How society shifted from Capitalism and Socialism.  There might be various minute information that isn't quoted in this article, however, following the same will be provided in further articles. ]  

YASHASWEE THAPA

ADVOCATE

BAR COUNCIL OF NEPAL

adv.yashasweet@gmail.com

[1] Marx- Engles, The German Ideology, Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1976, pp. 36-37.

 

[1]  K Marx and F Engels, Communist Manifesto (Progress Publishers 1969)

        

 [1] "Works of Karl Marx 1843, A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right."