Marxist Perspective of the State
Marxist Perspective of the State Major Raj Kamal Dixit
Associate Professor & Head,
P.G.Deptt. of Pol.Sc., P.C.Bagla College, Hathras.
Uttar Pradesh (India)
Commonly regarded as the class theory of the State is basically a perspective, which has evolved from the writings of Karl Marx & Freiderick Engels. Marx did not offer the theoretical analysis of the State as such. His work on the State comprises a fragmented series of philosophical reflections, contemporary history, journalism and incidental remarks. Marx rarely focused directly on the complex concept of the state. From the beginning he made it clear that the point is not to contemplate or interpret the World, or the State, but to change it. The Marxist perspective has not been to understand any unitary theory of the State rather to explain it as a result of a more fundamental reality, which is usually economic in character. Thus, it is the fundamental role of the State within the economy, rather than its Constitutional or institutional form, which is significant. It is a ‘praxis’ philosophy, generally responding to immediate events and issues. It is intrinsic to the Marxist that the State is seen as a universal but temporary phenomenon, which ultimately has to be done away with. Most of the Marxist writings have been directed to the fact that the ultimate end of history and class struggle is Communism, which has to be a Stateless condition. Having such theoretical constraints, there is one central concept that is the idea of class.1 The State is seen as the expression or condensation of class relations, which implies a pattern of domination and oppression that are other general elements of Marxist perspective. A class interest is seen to manage the State apparatus in the interest of the class alone. This involves the exercise of power over groups or classes. The history of State therefore, the history of such class domination and class struggle. This notion of class also links up with human labour and a
Associate Professor & Head,
P.G.Deptt. of Pol.Sc., P.C.Bagla College, Hathras.
Uttar Pradesh (India)
Commonly regarded as the class theory of the State is basically a perspective, which has evolved from the writings of Karl Marx & Freiderick Engels. Marx did not offer the theoretical analysis of the State as such. His work on the State comprises a fragmented series of philosophical reflections, contemporary history, journalism and incidental remarks. Marx rarely focused directly on the complex concept of the state. From the beginning he made it clear that the point is not to contemplate or interpret the World, or the State, but to change it. The Marxist perspective has not been to understand any unitary theory of the State rather to explain it as a result of a more fundamental reality, which is usually economic in character. Thus, it is the fundamental role of the State within the economy, rather than its Constitutional or institutional form, which is significant. It is a ‘praxis’ philosophy, generally responding to immediate events and issues. It is intrinsic to the Marxist that the State is seen as a universal but temporary phenomenon, which ultimately has to be done away with. Most of the Marxist writings have been directed to the fact that the ultimate end of history and class struggle is Communism, which has to be a Stateless condition. Having such theoretical constraints, there is one central concept that is the idea of class.1 The State is seen as the expression or condensation of class relations, which implies a pattern of domination and oppression that are other general elements of Marxist perspective. A class interest is seen to manage the State apparatus in the interest of the class alone. This involves the exercise of power over groups or classes. The history of State therefore, the history of such class domination and class struggle. This notion of class also links up with human labour and a