The ideas of Karl Marx have influenced me in many ways. First, I feel that Marxism has taught us to understand how mankind can bring about equality in society by bringing about changes in the system.
He spoke about a classless society that met the basic needs of human beings. Marxism also taught us about a society that is free of exploitation of the poor by the rich. Marx said that the fundamental division in society arose from exploitation of the poor and the working class.
I had grown up dreaming about a society founded on the idea of equality, where there is no exploitation. And this naturally drew me close to the ideals of Karl Marx. We believed that it is possible to create a classless society, a world free from exploitation. Second, from my childhood, I had read a lot about Karl Marx’s life. It was a life dedicated to the establishment of a world free from exploitation.
He never went behind materialistic gains.
I am not fully convinced about his idea about the dictatorship of the proletariat. We do not know what he meant by it even though it was sought to be put in practice in Soviet Union. This control of political power may not be good, if it continues for long. Such a situation may give rise to authoritarian tendencies and nepotism. I believe in the freedom of the individual.
The individual should have the freedom to dissent. The ideas of Marx have become more relevant today. Corporations have spread across the globe.
They have tools to influence the minds of individuals and lure them to buy their goods.
In this situation where mankind faces a major threat from capitalism, Marxism remains the answer to end oppression and exploitation so rampant in our society.
The author is a literary scholar
(As told to G. Krishnakumar)
