Marxism
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The evolution of psychology and psychiatry in the Soviet Union from the 1920s to the 1980s showcased a complex interplay of Marxist ideology and scientific inquiry. The fields experienced creative innovation amid ideological constraints, producing significant theories like Pavlov’s reflex theory and Vygotsky’s cultural-historical approach, which influenced global psychology despite periods of enforced conformity.
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The text explores Marx’s theory of surplus value, asserting that profit under capitalism originates solely from labor. Marx critiques classical economics for failing to explain profit, emphasizing that surplus arises in production rather than circulation. By highlighting the exploitation of labor, he reveals how capital accumulates wealth through unpaid worker contributions.
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Ernesto “Che” Guevara (1928-1967) was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary and key figure in the Cuban Revolution. Influenced by social injustices during his travels, he joined Fidel Castro’s movement to overthrow Batista. Guevara sought global revolutions but was captured and executed in Bolivia. He is a polarizing icon of rebellion.
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In “China: From Permanent Revolution to Counter-Revolution,” John Peter Roberts examines China’s historical transformation under the Communist Party, emphasizing ideological and political shifts from Mao to Deng Xiaoping. His critique reveals the human costs and contradictions of China’s market economy while encouraging critical debate on socialism and capitalism’s future.
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Rosa Luxemburg emphasized the “subjective factor” in Marxist theory, focusing on the working class’s consciousness and initiative as vital for revolutionary change. She opposed fatalistic views of history, arguing that active engagement and preparation of class consciousness are essential. The 1905 Russian Revolution demonstrated the necessity of this proactive approach for meaningful social transformation.
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The concept of “under-consumption” highlights the paradox of poverty amidst abundance in capitalism, where overproduction leads to unsold goods while many lack means to purchase essentials. This systemic issue, rooted in class exploitation and wage suppression, consistently results in economic crises, revealing flaws in capitalist distribution, not consumer behavior.
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Marxist theorists Lenin, Gramsci, and Luxemburg offered varied analyses of the state’s role in class societies. Lenin emphasized coercion and the necessity of a proletarian state, Gramsci focused on hegemony and ideological consent, while Luxemburg insisted on mass democracy. Despite differences, all agreed on revolution’s necessity to transcend class oppression.
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Frantz Fanon, born in 1925 in Martinique, was a significant figure influenced by French colonialism and his experiences as a psychiatrist during the Algerian War. His major works, including “Black Skin, White Masks” and “The Wretched of the Earth,” explored themes of racism, decolonization, and revolutionary thought, inspiring global anti-colonial movements. Fanon died in 1961.
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The content explores the dual nature of credit in capitalism, as both a lifeline and a noose. It critically examines how figures like Marx, Luxemburg, and Lenin understood credit as a mechanism allowing capitalism to expand and exploit, ultimately warning of inevitable crises due to unsustainable debt. The analysis highlights historical and contemporary global economic…
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The article critiques capitalism’s taxation system through a Marxist lens, arguing it reflects class struggle, particularly benefiting the bourgeoisie at the expense of the working class. Marxists propose utilizing taxation as a tool for redistribution while advocating for deeper social change to abolish class divides. Taxation’s flaws highlight systemic inequalities in capitalist societies.
Letters from Tomis 