marxism
UK[ˈmɑːksɪzəm]US[ˈmɑːrksɪzəm]
n
The political and economic theories of Karl Marx, which later developed into the basis for communism, emphasizing class struggle and the need for a revolution by the working class to create a classless society.
Morpheme Breakdown
Marx
ism
Marx
proper noun
ism
noun suffix
Etymology
The term 'Marxism' is a modern compound formed directly from the surname of its founder, Karl Marx, and the productive suffix '-ism'. The suffix '-ism', entering English via Latin from Greek '-ismos', denotes a system of belief or practice, as seen in words like 'socialism' or 'capitalism'. Therefore, 'Marxism' literally means "the system or doctrines of Marx." It encapsulates the body of socio-political and economic theory developed by Marx and Friedrich Engels, which analyzes history through class conflict and critiques capitalism, ultimately advocating for a proletarian revolution. The word's formation follows a common 19th-century pattern for naming ideological systems after their seminal thinkers.
Analysis
Structure: Marx (proper noun) + ism (noun suffix)
- Marx: A proper noun, from the surname of Karl Marx (1818–1883), the German philosopher and economist. Origin: German.
- ism: A noun-forming suffix meaning "a distinctive doctrine, theory, system, or practice." Origin: From Greek '-ismos', via Latin '-ismus'.
Examples
The course provides a critical introduction to the core principles of Marxism.
Some parties have adapted traditional Marxism to fit contemporary political contexts.
His analysis of the economic crisis was heavily influenced by Marxist theory.