# Marxism

/ˈmɑɹksɪzəm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marxism
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. political theory

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the political and economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which argue that history is a struggle between social classes.

For teachers: the body of doctrine developed by Marx and Engels, characterized by historical materialism and the critique of capitalist modes of production.

- In university, we studied Marxism to understand how it influenced the history of the twentieth century.
- The professor argued that classical Marxism provides a necessary framework for analyzing the structural inequalities inherent in global trade.

### 2. political movement

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a political program that aims to give power to the working class and end private ownership of businesses.

For teachers: a revolutionary political program aiming to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat as a transitional stage toward a stateless, classless society.

- The local political group was founded on the principles of Marxism.
- The revolutionary leaders sought to implement a pure form of Marxism, nationalizing all major industries and redistributing land to the peasantry.

### 3. derogatory label

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

a word sometimes used to criticize any government policy that involves high taxes or social welfare.

For teachers: a derogatory label applied to various left-wing or interventionist policies, often regardless of their actual connection to Marx's theories.

- The politician accused his opponent of Marxism just because he wanted to increase the minimum wage.
- In the heat of the election, any proposal for increased public spending was dismissed by critics as creeping Marxism.

Teaching tip: In modern political debate, this term is often used loosely as an insult for any policy the speaker considers too left-wing.

## Examples

- The professor explains the core principles of Marxism in today's lecture.
- Many 20th-century political movements were deeply influenced by Marxism, though they often adapted its theories to fit their local circumstances.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.