CORTES DA RITA: O que é o Marxismo? @Acessiveis_Cast

Summary

In this engaging conversation, the speaker explores Marxism, its application beyond European contexts, and its relevance in post-colonial societies. They reflect on the historical roots of political ideologies like left and right, analyzing how they evolved during the French Revolution. The discussion then turns to Marxist theory, focusing on the transformative nature of capitalism and its global reach, particularly in colonized regions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of praxis in Marxism—linking theory to practice—while calling for action to dismantle capitalist systems that exploit the working class. The session challenges traditional Western narratives and considers alternative paths to social change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of 'left' and 'right' politics originated during the French Revolution, where those on the left sought change and those on the right aimed to conserve the old regime.
• 😀 The framework of left and right politics may not apply to regions outside Europe, such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia, which have different historical experiences, particularly colonialism and slavery.
• 😀 Colonization and slavery profoundly shaped the experiences of African, Asian, and Latin American peoples, influencing their understanding of politics and society.
• 😀 Marxism is a theoretical and methodological approach to understanding and dismantling capitalist systems. It emphasizes praxis—how theory informs practice and vice versa.
• 😀 Marxism's foundation involves studying the economic systems and class structures that maintain society, particularly through the production and distribution of goods.
• 😀 Socialism was initially approached as a utopian ideal, but Marx and Engels later offered a scientific method to understand and potentially overthrow capitalism.
• 😀 Marx and Engels' work analyzes the post-industrial society and the capitalist mode of production, highlighting the alienation and exploitation within the system.
• 😀 The 'Capital' work by Marx aims to uncover the inner workings of capitalism, focusing on how crises are produced within the system.
• 😀 The working class, which produces all wealth, is central to Marxism as they are the class that has the potential to overthrow capitalist systems and reorganize society.
• 😀 Marxism calls for a revolutionary change from within the capitalist system, as seen historically when the bourgeoisie overthrew the aristocracy during the French Revolution.

Q & A

What is the central theme discussed in the transcript?

The central theme revolves around Marxism, its theoretical approach, and its relevance in different global contexts, particularly in relation to colonialism, capitalism, and class struggle.

What does the speaker mention about the origins of the political concepts of left and right?

The speaker traces the origins of the concepts of left and right to the French Revolution, where the terms referred to the seating arrangement of the revolutionaries—those advocating for change were on the left, and those seeking to maintain the status quo were on the right.

How does the speaker question the applicability of European political terms like 'left' and 'right' to the Global South?

The speaker questions whether the European political concepts of left and right are applicable to regions like Latin America, Africa, and Asia, which did not experience the French Revolution but instead endured brutal colonialism and slavery.

What does the speaker imply about the impact of colonialism on the Global South?

The speaker highlights the brutal legacy of colonialism, including slavery and dehumanization, which shaped the experiences of people in the Global South, contrasting it with the political ideologies of Europe.

What role do decolonial and panafricanist studies play in understanding Marxism, according to the speaker?

Decolonial and panafricanist studies are important because they offer perspectives that challenge the European-centric understanding of Marxism and recognize the unique histories of resistance in the Global South.

Who is Audrey Lorde, and what is her contribution to the discussion?

Audre Lorde, a Black feminist and lesbian poet and writer, is referenced for her quote, 'The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house.' The speaker uses this to discuss how even oppressive systems can be used by oppressed people to challenge and eventually dismantle those systems.

How does the speaker view the relationship between theory and practice in Marxism?

The speaker emphasizes that Marxism is a practical and theoretical approach, where theory informs practice and vice versa. It is not enough to debate ideas in academia; the goal is to change the world, as Marx's philosophy calls for action to transform society.

What is meant by 'socialism utopian' and how does it relate to Marxism?

Socialism utopian refers to early socialist ideas that were idealistic and lacked concrete plans. Marxism, in contrast, developed a scientific and methodological approach to understanding and dismantling capitalism, as articulated by Marx and Engels.

What is the significance of Marx’s 'The Communist Manifesto' in understanding capitalism?

In 'The Communist Manifesto,' Marx discusses how the Industrial Revolution radically changed society, with old structures like the family and religion being altered. This new mode of production, rooted in capitalism, led to the exploitation of workers, which Marx sought to analyze and critique.

How does the speaker explain the Marxist perspective on class struggle?

The speaker explains that, according to Marx, class struggle is central to understanding society. The working class produces all wealth, but the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, extract profits from the workers, leading to ongoing exploitation and inequality.