Neo-Marxism and Post-Marxism: Dimensions, Discourses in Theoretical Modification and Development

Abstract

are strands of ideas that emerged out of the philosophy and ideology of Karl Marx. Both could be regarded as meta-theories because they hoped to expand and present Marxian theory in quite a different paradigmatic view point but with anchorage on the traditional Marxism. Moreover, since both theoretical orientations are essentially the offshoot of Marx's ideas, they are an embellishment of Marx's idea in a more systematic manner in order to explain and provide an all embracing and tenable answers to contemporary social and economic relations, situations and conditions. Karl Marx, born in 1818 and died in 1883, a German Economist-cum-Sociologist is the father of Marxism. Marxism as a sociological orientation and ideology examined the structure of society and the social and economic forces that engendered its change. Therefore, discussion on Neo-Marxism and Post-Marxism would not be meaningful without a comprehensive understanding of the underpinning assumptions, postulates and tenets that underline Marxism. Hence, this paper discusses Marxism, Neo-Marxism and Post-Marxism with the primary aim of noting the consensus and disagreements arising there from the two broad perspectives within the Marxian paradigm. 2. Marxist Theory The basis of Marx's sociology is materialism and Marxism as a sociological theory traditionally involves two main postulates. The first relates to the structure of society and its development (Economic determinism). As Timasheff states in his Sociological Theory, its Nature and Growth (1957): ''the organization of production (called by Marx the economic infrastructure of society) not only limits but also, in the final analysis, shapes the whole superstructure: political organization, law, religion, philosophy, art, literature, science and morality itself'' (see Appendix A). The second postulate relates to change in society through three phases: Thesis (affirmation), Antithesis (negation) and Synthesis (reconciliation). This continuous dialectical process typifies change as a dynamic phenomenon of the abstract, physical and social world. Hence, the Marxists see change as resulting from contradiction inherent in all systems. For instance, Hegel sees change as a product of contradictory ideas while Karl Marx attributes it to contradiction in material world. Marx idea of change is inevitably embedded in his understanding of the nature of society. Marx's idea of society consists of men with insatiable tastes and needs who organize themselves in order to satisfy their needs. In other words, necessity of men gives rise to cooperation and social group formation. He saw people as basically productivity; that is, in order to survive people must work in and with nature. Their productivity is a perfectly natural way by which they express basic creative impulses. These impulses are expresses in concert with other people; in other words, people are inherently social (Ritzer, 1996:26). Marx enthused that the relations that are thus established between people in the course of production becomes the relationshi...