In a world full of a multitude of ideas and “isms” we can be forgiven for finding it hard to understand what each ideology refers to or how it can relate to us. Here is a list containing a very fleeting summary of 10 significant historical and contemporary philosophies. Each one has had an untold effect in shaping the world we live in and determining our own stupid opinions, strange values and morals (lack of).
Let us begin our journey through the weird and wonderful ideas conjured up by some of the most prolific and insane thinkers of our time.
1. MARXISM
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Marxism claims to be the ideology to end all ideologies. Marxists believe that after its implementation the state shall wither away and a community of pure democracy shall prevail. The ideology is bound to the working class revolutionary plight against the hierarchical rule of monarchs, elites and clergy.
In the 1848 Communist manifesto Karl Marx calls advocates that “Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.” Daft old Marx forgot to mention that they’d probably lose their lives or jobs in the process too.
Marxism has long been considered a radical ideology in the western capitalism countries but its influence and ideas have lead to the establishment of strong trade unions, shorter working days and rights for workers across the globe.
In practice, Marxism hasn’t been as successful as its advocates have hoped, with various revolutions causing countless deaths in Russia, China and many other countries. Nonetheless its invaluable reflections on class and equality have permeated into most modern day societies. Today the two tone image of 60’s Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara has become a cult print for t-shirts. How consumerist.
