Marxist Philosophy and the Quest for Freedom in Africa

Abstract

This essay discusses Marxist philosophy. Marxism, as it is usually refers to, is a socio-political theory that aims to resolve the contradiction that has led to the exploitation of the masses by those who own private property. For Marx, economic exploitation arises more fundamentally in a capitalist system because of the property relation attached to it. Hence, those who do not have property become slaves to those who have. The domination or alienation of the workers, to Marx, has created property-less majorities. Marx argues that the need to put an end to capitalism requires a revolution. Eventually, he posits that capitalism will be replaced by socialism, and later by communism. The essay seeks to show under what ground is revolution justifiable. We also intend to show the merits or demerits of Marxist philosophy to contemporary struggle for freedom in Africa. The essay concludes that when Marxist philosophy has been critically digested and adopted (though, reformulated), it would serve as an ideological orientation needed to realizing genuine freedom.

Keywords: Marxism, Capitalism, Communism, Revolution, Freedom, Exploitation, Africa.