Marxism

Definition

System of economic, social, and political philosophy based on the idea that class struggle is the """"motor of history,"""" and that the outdated class structures will be overthrown with force (revolution) instead of being replaced through patient modification. It explains that as the capitalism has succeeded the feudalism, it too will be removed by a dictatorship of the workers (proletariat) called socialism, followed quickly and inevitably by a classless society which governs itself without a governing class or structure. Developed in the 19th century jointly by two lifelong German friends living in London—Karl Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895)—it forms the foundation of communism.