Difference between Marxism and Anarchism
Both Marxism and anarchism are political and philosophical currents of the left that propose social and economic equality, based on communism and the elimination of social classes. Both currents raise very similar premises but their results are also intended to be obtained in different ways.
In this way, they are similar currents but with fundamental differences that start from their precepts. In this article we present the definitions of Marxism and anarchism to later present the basic differences that exist between both currents.
Marxism
Marxism can be defined as the set of political and philosophical doctrines derived from the work of Karl Marx, philosopher, sociologist, economist, journalist and revolutionary of the nineteenth century. This proposes the development of a central socialist State where private property disappears and all production goods pass into the hands of the State.
In this philosophy, it is precisely the State that distributes wealth according to two fundamental ideas: give to each according to their needs and obtain from each according to their ability. Marxism proposes that the first thing to do is a revolution of the proletariat so that based on these ideas, little by little that centralist state disappears and passes to a communism where everyone respects the needs of others out of conviction.
Marxism starts as opposed to the idea of exploitation of the working class and the inequality so marked that there is between it and the bourgeoisie, therefore, it proposes a much more just society in which all men are equal.
Anarchism
Anarchism can be defined as a radical doctrine and movement that promotes anarchy or acracy, that is, the autonomy of each individual contrary to the government or compulsory authority, therefore, it promotes the self-government of people and associations. The anarchists argue that the people should make the State disappear and that there should be no State security bodies (police, armies, among others) or parliament or legislative bodies that, according to this doctrine, do nothing more than problematize society by generating conflicts.
In this sense, anarchists consider that people can live in peace by making small production groups that allow them to self-direct to achieve their goals. This ideology further posits that in order to liberate the working class, bourgeois society and the capitalist system run by governments must be completely eliminated.
Having presented the definitions that concern this article, the following differences between Marxism and Anarchism are pointed out:
- Marxism seeks to replace a liberal bourgeois state with another state called the dictatorship of the proletariat. Anarchism seeks the total elimination of all forms of State.
- For Marxism, the revolution must be led by the working class. For anarchists, the revolution must be led by the peasant class.
- Marxism defends the creation of workers’ political parties. Anarchism opposes the idea of creating any kind of political party.
- For Marxism, wealth must be collective property managed by the State. For anarchists, wealth should be communal property managed by all.
- Marxism posits a collective and centralized economy. Anarchism poses a collective economy in which each community has authority.