Evaluation off the state principle of Marx :
Karl Marx says that a state, by its nature, is a class-based institution. As per his concept, a state is an artificial institution whose formation was done by the exploiting class for their interests, and it is a means of oppression and torture of the exploited class by the exploiting class.
Staterelated thoughts of Marx are as follows:
1. According to Marx, in primitive state of communism, all people worked together in harmony and there was no existence of a state. Because of gradual development of society, there emerged private wealth and the entire society got divided into:
- Wealthy class
- Wealth – less class. Marx termed this status of society as ‘Slave period’. According to him, a state came into existence as a result of class struggle in this period.
2. According to Marx, a state, by its nature, is a class-based institution. Its formation was done by the exploiting class for preservation of their own interests. The law and judicial system of a state is also there to protect and promote the interests of exploiting class only.
3. According to Marx, the objective of a state is to develop and project the interests of high class which has the right of governance.
4. According to Marx, a state system found in any period of history is related to social system of that time.
5. According to Marx, state is not a permanent institution. First of all, private wealth will vanish, society will become classless, there will be no class struggle. As there will be no classes, hence a class – based institution of state will not be required and the state will become extinct. This situation shall be the communist system of the society.
Criticism of State Principle of Marx:
State – related principles of Marx are criticised on the basis of the following points:
1. State is not a classified institution. This is an organization for the welfare of and service to the public.
2. A state is not an institution for torture and oppression of the exploited class by the exploiting class. Instead, it is a welfare institution. It protects the interests of all the classes, and not of a specific class.
3. In present time, the development being made by capitalist states has proved the concept of state – related Marxist thoughts to be incorrect. Now, capitalist states are emerging to perform welfare of the labourers, instead of being a source of cruelty to this class.
4. Marx thought of a quality change in the character of an individual in society, but this has proved ‘wrong’.
5. Marx’s concept of formation of stateless society was a mere imagination, and it cannot be transformed into reality.
Importance of State Principle of Marx:
Though the principle of origin of a state by Marx is radical and biased, yet, it has its importance. Marx, through his socialist thoughts, has challenged liberalism. He paved the way of a struggle against the exploiting capitalist class by the poor exploited class.
The poor or labour class got a ray of inspiration to fight for their rights. Besides, Marx presented the factual state of the society through his principle. In this way, Marxism as not merely a line of thought, but as a movement which was able to leave behind its lasting effect.
