The biggest mistake would be to answer the question of what Marxism is, building an answer to this question based on Marxist sources. Their opinion on this can only be considered as secondary. In short, Marxism is an economic (and mainly political based on it) theory. It was developed in the nineteenth century by European thinkers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Over the course of the twentieth century, this doctrine has shifted from theoretical spheres to practical implementation and has become one of the dominant political trends. Many states and societies, figuratively speaking, in their own skin had the opportunity to clarify the question of what Marxism is. And some states of the world to this day have not got rid of this serious illness.
The main provisions of Marxism
The economic theory of Marxism is based on a deeply developed doctrine of the production of material values and the relationship between labor and capital in the process of this production. And the fundamental theoretical basis for building policy is the conclusion that the results of labor are deeply unfairly shared between the two parties involved in this process. The theoretical foundation of Marxism is considered to be the book of Marx "Capital", and the specific political program "Manifesto of the Communist Party" published by Marx and Engels in 1848 in London. One can agree or deny it, but the moral basis of Marxism is the thirst and demand for justice. He borrowed a lot from Christianity, but, unlike religion, promises those who believe in it to build a just society on earth, instead of paradise in the afterlife.
What is Marxism in political practice?
The twentieth century for this political movement was both triumphant and catastrophic. The theoretical idea found its practical embodiment and lived a full life cycle, from birth to death. Many peoples of Eastern Europe received an exhaustive answer to the question of what Marxism is. They understood everything and do not want to ask again. The difference between the good intentions of this political doctrine and the results of its implementation turned out to be monstrous. At the end of the century it was possible to summarize. The complete failure of the Marxist concept today is not in doubt for any sane person. From building a just society, countries that embarked on this path of development have always turned out to be much further than under the system that preceded it.
Marxism in the USSR
The whole essence of Marxism is most clearly manifested in the history of the Soviet Union. The great country was in ruins at the end of the century due to the lack of competitiveness of its economy and the paralysis of the political system. Over the course of a century, the political regime that seized power has systematically destroyed everything that could resist it. It was justified by the construction of an abstract bright future and a just society. Fans of Marxism remain quite a lot in the territory of the former USSR to this day.