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The Marxism of Paul Mattick

The article "Marxism" by Paul Mattick, available on libcom.org, provides a critical examination of Marxist theory and its practical applications. Mattick discusses the evolution of Marxism from its origins with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, through its various interpretations and adaptations by subsequent thinkers and political movements. He critiques the transformation of Marxism into ideologies that often diverged from Marx's original economic and philosophical insights, particularly focusing on how Marxist theory was adapted by Lenin and the Bolsheviks to justify the Russian Revolution and the subsequent establishment of a state-controlled economy, which Mattick argues was contrary to Marx's vision of a stateless, classless society. Mattick also explores the concept of the "withering away of the state," the role of the proletariat, and the contradictions between Marxist theory and the realities of 20th-century socialist states. He emphasizes the importance of understanding Marxism not just as a political doctrine but as a critique of political economy, advocating for a return to Marx's emphasis on the self-emancipation of the working class through direct action rather than through state mechanisms or vanguard parties.

Read the Full Libcom Article at:
[ https://libcom.org/article/marxism-paul-mattick ]