Marx Without Marxism? A Study of Karl Marx as an Influential

The study of human political behavior raises numerous complexities. Although scientific in principle, it is not an exact science due to the unpredictability and changeability of human society. It not only revolves around factual matters but also answers to claims about how the world is and how it should be. It is often shaped by the social environment of its originator. All these factors however, do not disqualify it from the realm of science. Driven by the desire to analyze their environments, political thinkers develop theories or assertions that may not be immediately provable but can be confirmed or denied through forthcoming or historical experiences. Theory is testable. Unlike ideology, political theory need not be accepted as truth in its entirety. It is not a belief system nor is it adhered to or practiced incontestably. With that knowledge in mind it is fairly safe to assume that the ideas of Karl Marx constitute a theory, not an ideology. Through his theories, Marx aimed to explain those aspects of his society that demanded analysis. At no point however, did Marx present his ideas in the form of dogma or belief. This paper will expound on the concept of theory vs. ideology. Furthermore, it will aim to illustrate that Marx was not the originator of ideology but a political theorist and philosopher. That his ideas were later idealized and embraced by the masses is through no advocacy of his own. Furthermore, the paper will offer an analysis the theories of Karl Marx based on selected writings and explain how and why his message is accepted as ideology by many of his followers even though that is in essence contrary to its true nature.
Marx