ENGLISH
REFERENCE

marxism

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈmɑɹksɪzəm// marx·ism Informal Vulgar

n. a set of political and economic ideas that focuses on the struggle between different social classes. It suggests that the workers should eventually own the means of producing goods to create a fairer society.

n. a body of social, political, and economic theories developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, centering on the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. It posits that historical change is driven by material conditions and class struggle.


SIMPLE

The professor explains the core principles of Marxism in today's lecture.

CONTEXTUAL

Many 20th-century political movements were deeply influenced by Marxism, though they often adapted its theories to fit their local circumstances.

COMPLEX

Scholars often distinguish between classical Marxism and the various neo-Marxist schools of thought that emerged to address the complexities of globalized capital and cultural hegemony.

Origin

From Marx + -ism.

Usage

Usually capitalized. Often used as a framework for analysis in sociology, history, and economics.

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