Marxist Stage Theory

Marx’s general ideas about society are known as his theory of historical materialism.

"Materialism simply means that it is matter or material reality, which is the basis for any change."

According to Marx’s theory of historical materialism, societies pass through six stages;

Primitive Communism → Slavery or Imperialism → Feudalism→ Capitalism →Socialism →Communism

Stage 1 - Primitive Communism

Men performed the same economic function - hunter gathering. They worked together in order to survive. There was no private property and there were no classes. Eventually the most successful hunter gatherers gained power and control over the others.

Stage 2 - Imperialism

The strong man ruled. He began by owning all the land but when threatened by outsiders, he would grant land to others in return for military services. A new land-owning aristocracy was therefore created.

Stage 3 - Feudalism

Land was owned by the aristocracy who exploited the peasantry who worked it. There was a surplus of food which the aristocracy sold to others - creating a class of merchants and capitalists who wanted to share political power.

Stage 4 - Capitalism

The wealthy merchants and factory owners (bourgeoisie) obtained political power and exploited the workers (proletariat). As the proletariat became politically aware they would rise up and overthrow the bourgeois government.

Stage 5 - Socialism

There would be a dictatorship of the proletariat as worker's organisations re-distributed food, goods and services fairly according to need, and profits were shared by all. Middle class would come to understand that equality was superior to private ownership.

Stage 6 - Communism

Everyone would join together for the common good. Money and government would no longer be needed and society would be class-less. As all countries reached this stage the world would become state less and competition and wars would cease.

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