Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Following the ideas of Marx and Engels: Relating to or based on the political, economic, and social theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which form the foundation of Marxism.
   • Pertaining to Marxism: Characteristic of or derived from Marxist theory.

2. Noun:

   • An advocate of Marxism: A person who supports, studies, or promotes the doctrines of Marxism.
   • (Often derogatory) A radical or revolutionary: In emotionally charged political discourse, a term used to refer to extreme radicals or revolutionaries.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She provided a Marxist analysis of the novel's themes. (She analyzed the novel's themes using the ideas of Marx.)
  • The party's platform is based on Marxist principles. (The party's platform is founded on the principles derived from Marx's theories.)

• Noun:

  • He was a committed Marxist who wrote extensively on class struggle. (He was a dedicated supporter of Marxism who wrote a lot about class conflict.)
  • The conservative commentator dismissed the protesters as naive Marxists. (The commentator used the term pejoratively to label the protesters as extreme radicals.)

Advanced Usage

• Marxist critique/interpretation: An analysis that applies Marxist theory, especially focusing on class relations and economic structures.
  • The professor offered a Marxist critique of the industrial revolution's social impact.
• Marxist-Leninist: A specific branch of Marxist theory developed by Vladimir Lenin.
  • The group adhered to Marxist-Leninist ideology.

Variants and Related Words

• Marxism (n): The body of political, economic, and social theory associated with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
  • He studied the history of Marxism in the 20th century.
• Marxian (adj): A less common variant, often used interchangeably with "Marxist," particularly in academic contexts to describe theoretical aspects.
  • The essay explored Marxian economics.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Socialistic, communistic (in a theoretical sense), leftist (broadly).
• Noun: Communist, socialist, revolutionary, radical, leftist.

Related Phrases

• Marxist theory: The collective doctrines and analytical framework developed from Marx's work.
  • Her thesis is grounded in Marxist theory.
• Marxist thought: The ideas and philosophy stemming from Marxism.
  • The course examines the evolution of Marxist thought.

Adjective

1. following the ideas of Marx and Engels

Noun

1. emotionally charged terms used to refer to extreme radicals or revolutionaries
2. an advocate of Marxism