Political Philosophy-Communism

(Always refer to Communism as political PHILOSOPHY)

Vladimir Lenin mixed Marxism with __________and cqlled it the Vanguard of the Proletariat, he considerd himslef the protector of the proletariat, like teachers are rulers in the classroom but do it to "protect" and "help" the students

Marxism vs. Communism

Marxism

• "Marxism" is a perspective, not anyting that has been applied in full, only some ideas or phrases have been applied.
• Marxism emphasizes the idea that social life is based upon "conflicts of interest", there is always a thesis and antithesis.
• The most fundamental conflict is that between the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat.
• -Lenin had to create both as did Mao Zedong but Mao had it harder because he did not trust the peole in the cities
• Bourgeoisie (definition according to Marx)-those who own and control the means of production
• Proleteriat (definition according to Marx)- those who sell their labor power in the marketplace of Capitalism, the workers
• Class conflict reresents a process whereby chaneg comes about through the opposition of social classes as they pursue what they see to be their collective interests in society.
• Nature:

A. Cooperation: Production for use
B. Subsistence: work and play
C. Alienation: Ownership

Contradiction

• -exploitation: surplus value
• -This was going on in Europe and unless you were part of the bourgeousie you were exploited, labor. If you don't put workers first then you lose.
• -fragmentation: social classes

Conflict

• Dialectic materialism
• -dialectics, thesis, antithesis
• -we're all based on materialism, we like owning things, we enjoy crap
• -materialis: economic basis
• -Locke would suggest materialism is greatest thing because you are invested in society; Marx says no it should all be collective
• -synthesis: Historical Inevitability
• -dynamic chaneg: class struggle
• according to Marx conflict doe snot need to be conflict; until you can get rid of the diff. between haves and have-nots there will always be conflict

Socialism

• A. Public Ownership
• -means of production
• B. Labor Unions
• -formed to keep gov. in check
• C. Governemtn Intervention
• D. Violent Revoluton
• Commuism
• -from each according to his ability, to each accordign to his need
• -Diagram: inner circle is proletariat with arrows pointing to outer circle (Bourgeousie) (greedhead exploiters)

Hobbes

• philosophy based on divine right of king (ex: Pope)

Rousseau

Communism

***These blog entries are my notes I take in a class, I post them right after class, so if they do not always make sense I am very sorry (I write them so they make sense to me), but I post them because I do hope they can help anyone who stumbles upon this blog find what they are looking for. If you think I should and something please tell me and there is probably a good chance I will add it. :)

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