Introduction into marxism and market liberalism

Market liberalism -->

Market liberalism is a theory formed out of merchant trading in the 16^th century. It is a social ideology which mainly encourages the selling of labour. This in turn creates a huge divide within society, due to people being ‘worth more’ than others. Due to industrialisation people were replaced with machines which produced things on a mass scale, leading to a decrease in people producing their own amount of goods. Market liberalists believe that social and economic inequality is a ‘natural’ thing that has come out of capitalism. Capitalism and market liberalism are often considered as the most dominant ideologies within modern society.

Market liberalism is considered a less extreme form of capitalism as they believe that some things should be controlled by the state but not everything. For example they do believe there should be a minimum wage in which companies have to pay to employees whereas capitalists do not. Market liberalists run two systems together. For example NHS healthcare is ran alongside private healthcare providers.

Marxism -->

Marxists fully understand and see that social and economic inequalities exist within society, and that it is not ‘natural’. Marxists recognise that this inequality does not just exist between individuals or groups but also between countries. Marxism sees that society is separated into just two classes these are the bourgeoisie (who buy labour) and the proletariat (who sell their labour). They see that ‘the state’ takes control of the decision making within society, through force but also through hegemonic influence; such as party political broadcasts.

Marxists refer to us being in ‘late capitalism’; this is that we are now run by multinational corporations that are supported by the state, for example Coca cola, McDonalds and Nike. The proletariat is divided, distracted and deceived by the state in order to extend the exploitation already happening and to accept the status quo.

Marxists understand that a more equal society where the goods are evenly distributed is not ideal but is an achievable goal. Marxists encourage immediate action, reduction of working hours, increase in wages and a freedom to unionise. Many Marxists see that the only solution to economic and social instability is a revolution.