Final answer:
Marxist ideology, developed by Karl Marx, considers societal structure as based on class oppression, where the bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat. Marx introduced concepts like false consciousness and alienation, arguing that these hinder the working class from rebelling against capitalist exploitation. Marxism envisions a classless society through collective ownership and the overthrow of the capitalist system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Karl Marx's Ideology and Alienation
Marxist ideology, developed by Karl Marx, argues that society's structure is primarily based on the oppression of one class by another. Specifically, Marx theorized that the bourgeoisie, who owned the means of production, exploited the proletariat, who provided labor. This relationship inevitably leads to class struggle due to the imbalances of power and wealth. Marx also introduced the concept of false consciousness, which suggests that the proletariat's acceptance of the bourgeoisie's ideology is against their own interests, leading them to not question their societal position or advocate for change.
Alienation in modern society is a key concept in Marx's philosophy. He believed that the current system of capitalism deprived workers of control over their labor, compared to past societies, such as feudal systems where workers had more say in their work. Even though Marx predicted that this growing alienation would ultimately lead to a proletarian revolution, it's important to understand why this hasn't transpired universally. False consciousness plays a role here, as it implies that workers do not rebel because they are misled to believe that the societal structure is acceptable or even beneficial to them.
In the larger scope, Marxism critiques the capitalist system and calls for a collective ownership society, eliminating class distinctions. This radical change, Marx hypothesized, would be achieved through a workers' revolt, leading to a classless society where wealth and property would be communally owned. Marxism analyzes the historical and social impacts of class struggle and represents a transformative vision for society's economic and social foundations.