Historical Materialism vs. Historical Determinism
Marx’s outlook on historical development bears no similarity to what could be called historical determinism, or, a fatalistic concept of a mechanically determined predestination. Marx’s dialectical method is opposed to the mechanical method or determinist method in which the subjective, conscious aspect of human activity is totally negated. The materialist conception of history does not argue that man does not make history, but that man makes history within definite parameters set by the inherited conditions of society. Marx says, “men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past.” (Eighteenth Brumaire)
Marx’s own practice bears out his opposition to the historical determinist outlook. His role in proselytizing communist ideology, and in building revolutionary organization, coincide fully with his belief that the rule of the bourgeoisie would not fall of its own accord, but only with the conscious, determined efforts of a cadre among the masses of people.
Marx does not state that the communist society is inevitable, but instead points to the systemic crises of class rule, and the role the propertyless proletariat may play in replacing this society with classless, communist society. To Marx, the point was to grasp the essence of historical processes, not in order to imagine the alleged inevitability of this or that future course for society, but to carry out an actual, current revolutionary process fully in accord with historical opportunities. The subjective, conscious aspect of social development, without doubt, functions within a set of constraints. Historical necessity allows for varying possibilities within a certain scope of operation; it does not forecast definite or absolute outcomes. For instance, Marx and Engels do not see revolution as the inevitable triumph of a nascent class. Indeed, revolutions may cause “the common ruin of the contending classes” (Communist Manifesto).
Voluntarism makes the error of ignoring the objective constraints of the conditions inherited from history. Such was the error of the utopian socialists who sought to, parallel with and apart from the ascendant nation-states, affect a kind of communistic relations. Historical determinism makes the error of ignoring the subjective, conscious aspect of history as a process of human self-development. Often revisionists, but also at times genuine Marxists, have adopted a historical determinist stand when proclaiming that an increase in the development of the forces of production will absolutely lead to a corresponding leap to communism, apart from the class struggle in the realm of the superstructure.
In Marx’s Theses on Feuerbach, in which he declares that “the philosophers have understood the world, the point however is to change it,” he answers the criticism that he upholds a mechanical, deterministic worldview. “The materialist doctrine concerning the changing of circumstances and upbringing forgets that circumstances are changed by men and that it is essential to educate the educator himself. This doctrine must, therefore, divide society into two parts, one of which is superior to society,” says Marx. Here, he clearly highlights the dynamic role of the subjective element in the making of history, without which, no human development can occur. The materialist conception of history fully accounts for both the objective and subjective factors contributing to social movement.
Works Cited
Marx, Karl. The German Ideology. New York: International Publishers, 1947.
Marx, Karl, and Engels, Frederick. “Theses on Feuerbach.” Marx/Engels Selected Works. Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1969. 13-15.
Marx, Karl. The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1978.
18 Comments:
Nice summation.
Please join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cmkp_pk/
Long Live the Revolution!
Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This kind of clever
work and coverage! Keep up the terrific works guys
I've added you guys to my personal blogroll.
Feel free to visit my web page: email advertising Templates
This post arrived in a well-timed passion! I can't believe it. I'd been
searching on line for Email Templates. You did a
good job and yes i absolutely agree that your template could make or
break your company. Best Wishes!
Check out my site ... visit the up coming post
Hi there to every one, it's in fact a nice for me to go to see this website, it contains valuable Information.
Also visit my website; email templates
I am not sure where you're getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Also visit my blog post: free email invitation templates
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about might.
Regards
Feel free to surf to my web site Email marketing templates
Quality content is the crucial to interest the visitors to go to see the web site,
that's what this website is providing.
my web-site ... Free email newsletter templates
Howdy would you mind sharing which blog platform you're using? I'm
going to start my own blog soon but I'm having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something unique.
P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I
had to ask!
Also visit my blog: Stephen
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
I'm not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I'd post to let you know.
The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue
resolved soon. Many thanks
Stop by my web blog mailchimp Email Templates
Hello Dear, are you in fact visiting this
site on a regular basis, if so after that you will absolutely obtain
good knowledge.
my page :: petty
Hi it's me, I am also visiting this site daily, this site is truly nice and the users are truly sharing good thoughts.
Feel free to surf to my weblog; Simply Click The Up Coming Article
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I'm now not positive whether this submit is written by him as nobody else know such precise about my difficulty. You are incredible! Thanks!
My webpage ... Free Email Marketing Templates
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article!
It's the little changes that will make the greatest
changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Feel free to surf to my web blog casino (http://chatchatty.com/blogs/92502/369375/lies-and-casino)
e cig, electronic cigarette, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarette reviews, electronic cigarette
chenlina20150915
ray bans
oakley sunglasses
nike air max 90
toms shoes
nike tn
cheap oakley sunglasses
true religion outlet
nike roshe runs
tod's shoes
belstaff
nike air huarache
air max
instyler max
coach outlet canada
cheap ray ban sunglasses
tory burch outlet
ed hardy uk
basketball shoes
oakley sunglases cheap
kevin durant shoes
mcm outlet
football shoes
mont blanc pens
ghd hair straighteners
ralph lauren pas cher
hermes belt
longchamp
michael kors
nike running shoes
gucci
gucci shoes
vans shoes
timberland boots
nike air force 1
cheap versace
chaussure louboutin
longchamp outlet
nike blazer
pandora bracelets
moncler outlet
jordan 13
cheap jordans for sale
Jordan 11 Concord
jordans 2015
coach store
coach outlets stores
kate spade sale
kate spade purses
Michael Kors Clearance
michael kors bags
michael kors outlet
michael kors jewelry
michael kors bracelet
michael kors sale
michael kors handbags
michael kors Premium Outlets
michael kors hamilton
michael kors factory outlet
jordans shoes
jordan retro 13
kd 7
lebron 12
nike air max thea
nike air max 2014
nike free trainer 5.0
nike free run
red sole shoes
Red Bottom Shoes For Women
mbt usa
mbt shoes sale
ray-ban sunglasses
fitflops sale
tory burch shoes
snapbacks wholesale
coach outlet store
ghd uk
ugg boots
michael kors factory outlet
louis vuitton outlet store
ugg outlet
fitflops clearance
polo outlet
oakley sunglasses
cheap ugg boots
cheap jordans
nike soccer shoes
louis vuitton handbags
coach outlet clearance
cheap nfl jersey
foamposite shoes
nike free run
marc jacobs outlet
tiffany and co
longchamp handbag
cheap mlb jerseys
air max uk
cheap oakley sunglasses
chrome hearts
louis vuitton handbags
tiffany and co jewelry
nike outlet store
michael kors outlet online
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet
michael kors handbags
czq20160825
Keep it up!
http://www.kuwait.prokr.net/
http://www.emirates.prokr.net/
Post a Comment
<< Home