noun

Marxism

MAHRK-sih-zuhm

noun

The political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which analyzes society through class struggle and argues for workers eventually overthrowing capitalism.

"Her thesis traced how Marxism shaped twentieth-century revolutionary movements."

"The professor explained Marxism as both an economic theory and a call to political action."

Loosely, any left-wing push for stronger state control, nationalisation, or welfare policies.

"Critics labelled the new tax proposal as creeping Marxism."

How to Use Marxism

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe body of political and economic ideas built around Karl Marx's theory of class struggle and a classless, communist end-state.

Common mistake

Marxism (the theory) is distinct from communism (a system some states built while claiming to apply it) — the two get used interchangeably but aren't identical.

Common pairings

classical Marxism Marxism-Leninism a Marxism scholar

Word Forms

Marxisms plural

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Her thesis traced how _____ shaped twentieth-century revolutionary movements.

Etymology

From the surname Marx plus the suffix "-ism", meaning "the doctrine of."