Marx, the Proletariat, and the 'Will to Socialism'

Journal article

This article examines the development of Marx’s thought in its attempt to explain why the proletariat as a class were historically inclined to accept socialist ideas. For Marx, socialist consciousness arises from an innate desire to secure one’s mode of subsistence. Class consciousness always idealises independent proprietorship. This holds true for proletarians. However, as capitalism makes individual proprietorship impossible, only collective ownership appears to offer secure independence.

Authors: Mulholland, M

• Publisher: Routledge
• Journal: Critique
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 319 - 343
• Publication date: 2009-01-01
• DOI: 10.1080/03017600902989773
• ISSN: 0301-7605
• Language: English