MARXIST THEORIES The evolution

of the Marxist
theories
OF INTERNATIONAL through the
history until

RELATIONS
the recent
New Ma rxism
 INTRODUCTION

Even though Marx was not widely read during his own
time and Marxism, as a political system may be
outdated, at least from the present perspective, Karl
Marx remains an iconic fi gure of the 19 t h century.
Compared to realism and liberalism, his view of
international relations is pretty unfamiliar as it rests
upon the importance of the structures of a global
capitalist system, and the resulting inequality.
Marxs theories have infl uenced not only the ideology
of former and present communist countries, but also
the international system as a whole. Moreover, his
theories have had a deep impact on academic studies.
MARXS IDEAS AND THE BEGINNING
OF ITS INCORPORATION TO IR
1. The core elements of Marxist theory in IR.
Social world as a totality.
Historical materialism.
Base-Superstructure Scheme.
Class struggle
The cause of emancipation.

2. Marxism incorporated to international sphere.

Imperialism.
The Dependency School.
The world-system theory.
 THE CORE ELEMENTS OF MARXIST
THEORY.
Social world as a totality = knowledge of the others is a
sine qua none condition to understand any social area.
Historical materialism = the processes of the historical
change refl ect the economic development of the society.
These two ideas imply that it exists a base-
superstructure scheme in which a change of the mode
of production of material life (economic base)
necessarely leads to a change in the legal, political and
cultural institutions (superstructure).
Class confl ict is an unevitable characteristic of society.
Especially in the capitalist society = constant struggle
between bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proltariat
(workers).
The cause of emancipation = Marx expects that the
replacement of a previous order will lead to the
emancipation of the society through social change.
 MARXISM INCORPORATED TO
INTERNATIONAL SPHERE.
Imperialism.
20th century, update of Marxs theories about
capitalism.
Trotsky: the development of a state is combined (states
need to develop in capitalist system of states) and
uneven (some states always develop faster and better
than others).
Lenin: although he accepted much of Marxs basic
thesis, capitalism characteristics have changed.

For Lenin, it is the fi nal and highest stage of capitalism

= monopoly capitalism = dominant core exploits the
less developed periphery, which means the workers
dont share the same interests anymore.
 The Dependency School:
Declining terms of trade = due to the increasing price of
manufactured goods and because they rely on them, the
peripheric countries tend to become poorer and poorer
comparing to the core countries and tend to be dependent on
the core.

World-System theory:
Wallerstein argue that all the institutions of the social world
are continually being created and re-created. Therefore, any
world system has necessarely a beginning and an end.
Incorporate the notion of semi-periphery = intermediate
between the core and the periphery. Is dominated by the core
but stabilize the political structure of the world system. The
three are linked together in an exploitive relationship.
HOW MARXS IDEAS HAVE EVOLVED
IN IR SINCE THE 1920S-1930S ?
1920s-1930s: roots of the Gramscianism and the
Critical Theory. (Table)
These two theories have been developed during the
same period. However, they focus on diff erent issues,
present distinct ideas, and the ensued related
approaches diff er.

A return to fundamentals with the New Marxism.

 Gramscianism
Focus on International political and
economic issues of
International Politics.
Main Concept of the hegemony
Ideas = coercion + consent
(Marx based it only on
coercion)
Definition of Consent rationality.
Conclusion: hegemony
allows dominant group
tospread its moral, political
and cultural values.
Historic Bloc reinforce
Marxs base-
superstructure scheme.
Related Robert Cox and the analysis
Approach of world order: Studies.:
es Any set of ideas and values
must reflect a certain
context.
Critical Theory
Issues of the nternational
society ethics and security.
Intellectual concerns =
culture, bureaucracy,
social concerns +
concepts of reason and
Frankfurt School : working
class has been absorbed
by the system (Mass
Culture).
Meaning of emancipation
= in terms of
reconciliaition with
nature.
CSS= Citical Security
States as part security
problems, thus, individual
should be the center of the
A RETURN TO FUNDAMENTALS WITH
THE NEW MARXISM
Based on a reappropriation of Marxs concepts and
ideas.

Two writers:

Justin Rosenberg criticize realists theories of IR and

globalization by analysing the character of the
international system and how it reacts to the change of
social relations.He considers it is necessary to
understand historical change in the world of politics.

Benno Teschk brings a critique to the current

International Relations theory + Presents the concept of
social property relations as a tool for analysing the key
elements of IR as well as the transition between two
international system.