How can Marxist theory of the state be critically examined in relation to the concept of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and what does this reveal about the dialectical tensions between class power, state structures, and the prospects of socialist transformation?

Marxist Theory of the State, Dictatorship of the Proletariat, and the Dialectics of Socialist Transformation The Marxist theory of the state occupies a central, yet deeply contested, position within political theory. Its conceptual edifice rests on the conviction that the state is not a neutral arbiter of social interests, but an instrument and expression of … Continue reading How can Marxist theory of the state be critically examined in relation to the concept of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and what does this reveal about the dialectical tensions between class power, state structures, and the prospects of socialist transformation?

How do the conceptualisations of ‘power’ in the political thought of Karl Marx and Max Weber differ in their ontological foundations, methodological orientations, and normative implications for understanding domination, authority, and state-society relations in modern political systems?

Karl Marx and Max Weber offer two of the most influential yet fundamentally distinct conceptualisations of power in political theory. Their divergences lie not only in their ontological assumptions about the nature of society and historical change but also in their methodological approaches and normative concerns. While both thinkers address the dynamics of domination, authority, … Continue reading How do the conceptualisations of ‘power’ in the political thought of Karl Marx and Max Weber differ in their ontological foundations, methodological orientations, and normative implications for understanding domination, authority, and state-society relations in modern political systems?

The concept of the state’s “relative autonomy” occupies a pivotal place in Marxist political theory, particularly as a means of explaining how the capitalist state—while fundamentally serving the interests of the ruling class—can appear to act independently of direct bourgeois control. This theoretical refinement emerged in response to the instrumentalist interpretation of the state, which … Continue reading How does the concept of the state’s ‘relative autonomy’ within Marxist theory illuminate the complex institutional and class dynamics underpinning state power in capitalist societies?

Fascist and Marxist Conceptions of the State: Divergent Ideological Understandings of Authority, Class, and the Collective Introduction The nature and role of the state have been central concerns in political theory, with different ideological traditions advancing fundamentally divergent interpretations of its purpose, legitimacy, and relationship with society. Among the most ideologically contrasting frameworks in this … Continue reading How do fascist and Marxist traditions conceptualize the nature, purpose, and role of the state, and in what ways do these ideological frameworks diverge in their understanding of state authority, class relations, and the relationship between the individual and the collective in political organization?