Beyond Utopianism: The Material Foundations of Marxist Historiography
Mubashar Bashir Khan
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of History, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608002
The study examines the transition from utopian socialism to scientific socialism through the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. While early socialist thinkers like Owen, Fourier, and Saint-Simon criticized capitalism, they lacked a systematic analysis of class struggle and historical development. Marxâs historical materialism provided a scientific framework, arguing that economic structures shape social and political institutions. His critique of alienation, surplus value, and capitalist crises laid the foundation for revolutionary socialism. Unlike utopian socialists who relied on moral appeals, Marx posited that socialism would emerge from capitalismâs inherent contradictions. His engagement with contemporary historyâsuch as the French Revolution, the Paris Commune, and colonialismâdemonstrates both the strengths and limitations of his materialist approach. Later debates within Marxism, including Leninâs theory of imperialism and Trotskyâs permanent revolution, further expanded its scope. The study contextualizes Marxist historiography as a dynamic and evolving theoretical tradition.
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