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Marxism developed as a protest against the idealist conception of man and the world as
represented by Hegel (1770-1831).
Hegel represented Dialectical Idealism. Marx was influenced by Hegelian dialectics, French
socialism and English economics. But Marxism is a fundamental and total philosophy of life.
Marxism is, on the one hand, a social and political theory and, on the other, it is a scientific plan
for complete social change and revolution.
Marx attaches importance to Matter and not Idea or Spirit. Marx aimed to end spirituality. Hegel
started from spirituality and ended in matter; Marx interpreted human history from reality
(matter) to spirituality.
According to Marx:
History is the product of material existence whereas, according to Hegel, History is the
product of spiritual existence. The Marxian conception of history is called Historical Materialism.
Marx and Modern Socialism:
Marx was the founder of modern Scientific Socialism
Marx for the first time analyzed correctly the forces and impulses which govern human nature
and mold its environment. It was Karl Marx who gave socialism a philosophy and a new
direction and a dynamic force. His Communist Manifesto, which appeared in 1848, has been
aptly described as the birth-cry of modern socialism.
In it he traces the evolution of history as the inevitable result of the economic changes brought
about by the changed method of the material production of wealth, and prophesies a social
revolution leading to the dictatorship of the proletariat.
The future is determined by the past; it is the inevitable product of certain forces and tendencies
which are irresistible in their operation.
Economic Interpretation of History and Class Struggle:
Marx gave an economic interpretation of history, and from it he draws the conclusions that all
history is but a record of class struggles.
Those who control the means of production dominate the society, and it is in their interest to
fashion the laws and institutions as to perpetuate their social and political prominence. Thus
arises the division of the society into those who control and those who are controlled, the haves
and the have-nots. It is from this division of society into two antagonistic sections that class
struggle arises.
Marx points out that the present society has been evolved gradually out of many class struggles
in the past. History is a record of class struggles. There had been struggles between freeman
and slave, between lord and serf, between the landed aristocracy and the bourgeoisie. History
is simply the record of how one class has gained wealth and political power only to be
overthrown and succeeded by another class.
Marx is of opinion that capitalism is digging its own grave. Its inevitable tendency is the
progressive concentration of wealth in the hands of increasingly fewer men, the big capitalists
swallowing up the little ones. The result of this tendency would be to expand the number of the
proletariat
The result of this tendency would be to expand the number of the proletariat
Values in Marxism:
A Marxist is dedicated to the welfare of the state and the people.
(d) To develop respect for parents, elderly people and all classes of laborers;
Equalization of educational opportunity is the Marxist educational goal. Marxist education aims
at maximum good to the maximum number. Social advancement is to be ensured through
education. Education is considered as the greatest instrument of social change. Only intellectual
education cannot achieve this goal.
Hence, in Marxism, emphasis is laid on vocational and technological education. All educands
must know clearly the true character of social development. History and economics should be
taught in proper perspective. The students must learn the fundamental principles of science.
In Marxist education labor and work are considered as integral parts. A workman cannot work
properly unless he possesses a sound health. Hence physical education is considered as an
important aim in Marxist education. It also aims at cultural and aesthetic development, and
further aims at indoctrination in communist and socialist values. Marxist education aims at
creating creative, productive and faithful citizenship.
According to Lenin, education is an integral part of culture and culture and education both are
shaped by socioeconomic conditions. But labor is the basis and source of all cultural
advancement. That is why, in Marxist education, labor occupies an important place.
In Marxist education the philosophic child is given the central position. Development of the child
mind is the ultimate aim. Education of the child depends to a great extent on the education of
the mother. So Marxist education aims at womens education too. Communist Manifesto
declares free, universal, elementary education for all.
(c) Polytechnised Education which will give knowledge relative to the General Sciences and
principles of all productive processes.
6. In Marxist system of education there will be only one agency the state. Private agency is
banned in Marxist educational administration.
Curriculum in Marxism:
Marxist curriculum is based on Marxist educational aims, objectives and values set forth earlier.
2. Those subjects are included in the curriculums which tend to develop skill instead of abstract
knowledge.
3. Marxism lays stress on respect for labor and, as such, work-experience is regarded as an
integral part of education.
4. The curriculum includes the socially useful subjects such as science, mathematics,
geography, life science, geology, astronomy etc. The history of communist movement and
political economy should also be included in the curriculum.
5. At the primary level, only the mother-tongue should be taught. But at the secondary level the
curriculum should include foreign language.
6. Creative work and co-curricular activities have been given an important place in Marxist
curriculum. These include physical exercise, music, painting, games and sports etc.
2. Marxist education is based on the principle of learning by doing. Students should work both in
the agricultural farms and factories.
3. Education should not be confined within the four walls of the school. The natural environment
and the community at large will also serve as great books and teachers.
A Marxist teacher must entirely be different in attitude and temperament from a bourgeois
teacher. His philosophy of teaching will be the Marxist philosophy. He must be an active
member of the Marxist social order.
According to Lenin, a best Marxist worker can only be a best Marxist teacher. Both in thought
and action he must be a true Marxist. He should not have only mastery on the content of
education but also have consciousness about life, social environment and communist ideology.
He should possess sound health, respect for cultural heritage, deep practical sense, socialistic
bent of mind and true patriotism.