Chapter 14 : Marxian Approach to International Relations: Features & Elements

Marxian Approach to International Relations: Features & Elements

Introduction: The Marxian View of International Politics

The Marxian approach to international relations is fundamentally based on the concepts of Proletariat Internationalism, Anti-imperialism, Self-determination, and Peaceful Co-existence. It posits that international relations are marching towards a destined logical conclusion: the end of capitalism-imperialism, the unity of the proletariat as one nation, and the establishment of true internationalism.

• The Domestic-International Analogy:
• Premise: Politics within a state involves a continuous class struggle between the rich (owners of the means of production who monopolise production, distribution, and exchange) and the poor (the exploited workers/underdogs).
• Logic: The Marxian view of international politics is identical to its view of domestic politics.
• Conclusion: International politics is a global struggle between capitalist states (the rich) and poor and backward states (the victims of capitalistic exploitation). International relations inherently involve the exploitation of poor states by rich states through devices like imperialism and war.
• The Causal Chain to Global Socialism:

Spread of socialism in all states → Workers' revolutions against their internal exploiters → Conversion of individual states to socialism → Global socialist forces join hands to eliminate capitalism → Establishment of international relations based on the socialist brotherhood of all (where workers of the world live together as equal, participating members of an exploitation-free international community).

Key Terms

📌 Exam Tidbits

• Core Analogy: Domestic class struggle (Rich vs. Poor) = International class struggle (Capitalist States vs. Poor/Backward States).
• Ultimate Goal: End of capitalism-imperialism and the unity of the proletariat as one nation.

Features of Marxian Approach

The Marxian approach to international politics is characterised by 3 key features:

3 Key Features of the Marxian Approach

Key Terms

📌 Exam Tidbits

• 3 Features: Class struggle (Rich vs. Poor states), Ending imperialistic exploitation, Neo-colonialism.
• Third World Classification: Marxists classify non-socialist Third World states as part of the "socialist class"…