Marxism research paper

Research Paper Instructions and Possible Paper Topics

For the course research paper students can propose one of their own topics or use one of the prompts from the list below as a starting point. I first copy here instructions from the syllabus on your research paper proposal and Zoom meeting to get approval for your paper, the structure and format of the paper itself, the first draft, and the final draft.

RESEARCH PAPER (40 points): All students must write a research paper, roughly 6-8 pages in length, double-spaced (equivalent to roughly 1500-2000 words.) Possible paper topics will be provided. Students also have the option of writing on a topic of their own choosing with prior approval.

Here are further details: Students are required to meet with the professor (via Zoom or phone) during the last week in March and first week in April to get approval of their research paper proposal. Students should provide the professor with a copy of their research paper proposal at this meeting. This proposal should be no more than 1-page in length and should explain the nature of the project or problem that the student’s paper is to address, outline the main arguments or claims that the student will seek to examine or defend, and list the relevant readings and sources to be used. Meetings should take no more than 15-30 minutes.

 Criteria of Assessment: Research papers will be assessed in accordance with the appropriateness and coherence of the project undertaken and the quality of the exposition, reasoning, and philosophical understanding. All the elements of good writing are important: grammar, punctuation, clarity of meaning, sentence and paragraph structure, and essay structure. Students must submit both their first and final drafts in Canvas. See also “Hints for Writing Papers for this Course” (Canvas).

 First Draft: The first draft of the research paper is due on April 9 (5 points).

 Final Draft: The final draft of the research paper is due on April 16 (35 points).

Possible Topics

(Q1) Hegel is often interpreted as having a teleological theory of history. Focusing on Hegel’s Introduction to the Philosophy of History: (1) explain and critically discuss this interpretation and (2) evaluate the strengths and weakness of Hegel’s philosophy of history.

(Q2) Near the beginning of chapter three of his Introduction to the Philosophy of History Hegel says “…it is Spirit, and the process of its development that is the substance of history.” (IPH, 19) Accordingly, he organizes that chapter around three topics: the abstract nature of Spirit, the means Spirit uses, and the “shape taken on by Spirit in its complete realization in the world—the State.” (IPH, 20) Write a paper that provides an explanation and critical discussion of Hegel’s account of each of these items in the context of his philosophy of history.

(Q3) Hegel’s account of “Civil Society” in the Elements of the Philosophy of Right is one of his important contributions to social and political philosophy. Hegel asserts that Civil Society has three aspects: System of Needs, Administration of Justice and the Police (or Public Authority) and Corporation (Elements of the Philosophy of Right, Section 188). Explain and critically discuss Hegel’s notion of Civil Society focusing on his account of the Police (or Public Authority) and the Corporation (Elements of the Philosophy of Right, Sections 230-256). Carefully explain what these entities do, how they are related to the System of Needs, and the roles they play in his philosophy of the State. Be sure to provide relevant textual support in evidence of your interpretation.

(Q4) In his early work, “Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right: Introduction,” Marx makes three striking claims. One is that the criticism of religion has been completed and that “the criticism of religion is the premise of all criticism” (MER, 54). A second claim concerns the backwardness of conditions in Germany, in relation both to other modern nations and the German philosophy of right, and the consequences of this fact for criticism (MER, 54-59). A third is that criticism of the German philosophy of right leads to “tasks which can only be solved by practical activity” (MER, 60) with the corollary that real emancipation in Germany requires bringing together philosophy with the proletariat (MER, 64-65). Provide an interpretation and critical discussion of these three claims.

(Q5) The notion of criticism figures importantly in Marx’s earliest philosophical writings. Drawing on “Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right: Introduction,” (MER, 53-65), Marx’s letter to Ruge “For A Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing” (MER, 12-15), and any other writings you deem relevant, provide an account of Marx’s conception of criticism. Questions to consider: What is criticism for Marx? How is it supposed to work? What or who is it supposed to be directed at?

(Q6) In his early essay “On the Jewish Question” (MER, 26-46) Marx uses the discussion of the Jewish question as scaffolding on which to explore contradictions at heart of the modern state and the limitations of the ideal of political emancipation. Explain and critically evaluate Marx’s account of the modern state and political emancipation in “On the Jewish Question.”

(Q7) Marx’s Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 (MER, 66-105) include an extended discussion of the notions of alienation and estrangement. Explain and critically discuss Marx’s account of these philosophically rich and fascinating notions.

(Q8) Focusing on Marx’s Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 (MER, 66-105) provide an explanation and critical discussion of the early Marx’s conceptions of human nature and human flourishing.

(Q9) Drawing on Marx’s 1859 Preface to the A Critique of Political Economy, The German Ideology, The Communist Manifesto, and other texts you deem relevant, provide a reconstruction and critical assessment of Marx’s theory of history.

(Q10) In The German Ideology Marx and Engels contrast their approach to history and society with that of German philosophy and German idealism. What are the main features of their materialist alternative? How does it contrast with Hegel’s approach to history? What are the strengths of Marx’s approach? What are its weaknesses?

(Q11) Marx’s theory of history is sometimes described as a version of “economic determinism.” Consider: (i) what exactly it means to say that Marx is an economic determinist, (ii) whether you think the economic determinist interpretation of Marx is accurate, (iii) and the overall cogency of Marx’s theory of history. Take into Allen Wood’s discussion of the topic in Karl Marx, chapter 5, “Production and Society” (63-81) and chapter 8, "Materialism, Agency, and Consciousness" (112-118). 

(Q12) Part I of The Communist Manifesto provides an account of the rise and development of two revolutionary, or potentially revolutionary classes: the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. Explain and critically discuss Marx’s account of these two revolutionary classes including: (i) an explanation of why Marx thinks each of these classes is revolutionary and (ii) an account of his views on the relationship between bourgeois and proletarian classes, including especially the claim that: “What the bourgeoisie, therefore, produces, above all, is its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable.” (Marx-Engels Reader, 483).

(Q13) In section III of the Communist Manifesto, “Socialist and Communist Literature” Marx and Engels seek to distinguish their outlook from other forms of socialism and communism (e.g. “Reactionary Socialism,” “Conservative, or Bourgeois Socialism,” and “Critical-Utopian Socialism”). In his later primer on the materialist conception of history, “Socialism: Utopian and Scientific,” (Canvas) Engels further elaborates on the contrast between his and Marx’s “scientific socialism” and various “utopian” socialisms. Taking into account these two works, explain and critically discuss how Marx and Engels distinguish their outlook from these other forms of socialism and communism. 

(Q14) The distinction between use-value and exchange-value figures prominently in Marx’s account of the capitalist mode of production. Drawing on Capital, chapter 1 explain this distinction its importance for Marx’s analysis and critique of capitalism. Consider also G.A. Cohen’s argument concerning the ‘subjugation of use-value by exchange-value’ in advanced capitalism in “Use-Value, Exchange-Value, and Contemporary Capitalism” (Canvas). 

(Q15) One of the more philosophically rich and suggestive parts of Marx’s Capital is Chapter 1, section iv on “The Fetishism of Commodities and the Secret Thereof” (Marx-Engels Reader, 319-329). Provide a detailed critical interpretation of what Marx is trying to say in this difficult and perplexing section Capital. Include in your account a discussion of possible connections to Marx’s notion of alienation.

(Q16) Explain and critically discuss Marx’s account of capitalist exploitation. Be sure to explain the various conditions and factors that Marx appeals to in his account, along with any normative or evaluative considerations that you believe are present in his analysis, either implicitly or explicitly. Consider also Allen Wood’s chapter “Capitalist Exploitation” in Karl Marx.

(Q17) A key component of Marx’s account of capitalism is his discussion of the “working day” in Chapter 10, “The Working Day” (Marx-Engels Reader, 361-376). What is Marx’s account of the working day? How does that account figure in his analysis and critique of the capitalist mode of production? What role does class struggle play? How strong are his arguments?

(Q18) Marx opens Capital by saying that: “The wealth of those societies in which the capitalist mode of production prevails, presents itself as ‘an immense accumulation of commodities’....” (Marx-Engels Reader, 302) Other chapters of Capital address the process of accumulation in more detail. Chapter 25 concerns “The General Law of Capitalist Accumulation” (Marx-Engels Reader, 419-431) and the concluding Part VIII of Capital is concerned with “The So- Called Primitive Accumulation” (Marx-Engels Reader, 431-438). Provide an interpretation and critical discussion of Marx’s notion of accumulation, the forms that it takes, and its place in his analysis and critique of capitalism.

(Q19) Explain and critically discuss Marx’s perspective in the articles “The British Rule in India,” (Marx-Engels Reader, 653-658) and “The Future Results of the British Rule in India.” (Marx-Engels Reader, 659-664) Explain these articles within the context of Marx’s historical materialism and include discussion of other of Marx’s texts (e.g. the Communist Manifesto) that you deem relevant. Also include discussion of Kenzo Mohri’s “Marx and Underdevelopment” (Canvas).   

(Q20) In his 1859 Preface to A Critique of Political Economy (Marx-Engels Reader, 4), Marx writes:

                        “In the social production of their life, men enter into

                      definite relations that are indispensable and independent

                        of their will, relations of production which correspond to

                      a definite stage of their material productive forces. The

                       sum total of these relations of production constitutes the

                        economic structure of society, the real foundation, on which

                        rises a legal and political superstructure and to which

                        correspond definite forms of social consciousness.”

Provide an interpretation and critical evaluation of Marx’s account of the relation between economic foundation (or base) and the legal and political superstructure and corresponding forms of social consciousness. In developing your interpretation draw on the Communist Manifesto, Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, The Civil War in France, Critique of the Gotha Program, and any other texts that you deem relevant. See the class handout “Passages from Marx on Politics and State” for an assembly of some relevant passages and Allen Wood’s Karl Marx, 118-124 for a helpful discussion of Marx’s views on ideology.

(Q21) It is sometimes said that applications of Marx’s historical materialism, and especially his views on class and state, can be found in his writings on contemporary events such as The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte and The Civil War in France. Develop an interpretation of Marx’s views on class and state and support it through careful consideration of the above two writings on French politics, as well as any other texts that you deem relevant.

 (Q22) It is often said that Marx was an internationalist. In support of this attribution John Bellamy Foster argues that two major features of Marx’s internationalism were his recognition and critique of “international exploitation” and his concern to develop a “working class movement that was both national and international in organization.” (“Marx and Internationalism,” Canvas, 1) Explain and critically discuss Marx’s internationalism taking into account both of these features. Include in a discussion Marx’s writings that address relevant global and international matters, including the Communist Manifesto, Inaugural Address to the Working Men’s International Association, and his journalism on the British Rule in India. Take into account the relevant secondary literature on Marx’s internationalism posted on Canvas (i.e. the articles by Bellamy Foster, Gilbert, and Mohri).

(Q23) Given his anti-utopianism and unwillingness to write recipes for the “cook-shops of the future” (Marx-Engels Reader, 299) Marx rarely discussed the future communist society he envisioned. One of the few exceptions is his Critique of the Gotha Program (Marx-Engels Reader, 525-541, but especially 528-532). Focusing on the Critique of the Gotha Program, but considering also Capital Volume III, “On the Realm of Necessity and the Realm of Freedom, (Marx-Engels Reader, 439-441), The Civil War in France (Marx-Engels Reader, 629-642), The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, and any other texts you deem relevant, provide an interpretation and critical assessment of Marx’s conception of communism.

(Q24) Marx’s views about justice, rights and morality seem to be paradoxical. On the one hand there is ample evidence that he believes that capitalism is an irrational and degrading system that produces both alienation and the exploitation of labor. On the other hand, Marx seems never to develop an explicit philosophical theory of justice and rights, at times rejects appeals to such notions as ideological rubbish, and puts forth a theory of history whose central explanatory concepts are productive forces, relations of production and class struggle—not moral progress per se. How should we address this ‘paradox of Marx and justice’? In developing your answer address Allen Wood’s treatment of the question in Karl Marx, Section III, “Marxism and Morality.”

(Q25) In his work The Origins of the Family, Property and the State, Engels seeks to integrate the American social theorist Lewis Henry Morgan’s study of pre-history and the emergence of civilization with Marx’s theory of history. Drawing on the excerpted sections of Engels’ work in the Marx-Engels Reader (834-859) provide an interpretation and critical evaluation of Engels’ effort. In your account, be sure to explain how Engels understands each of the key items mentioned in his title—family, property, and state—and their interconnection.

(Q26) In his work Evolutionary Socialism (Canvas), Eduard Bernstein, one of the leading theorists of the German Social Democratic Party and Engels’ literary executor, sought to revise crucial aspects of Marx’s theory that he thought were incompatible with economic and political developments. He argues against the view that capitalism was destined to fail because of class polarization and economic crisis. He also thought that the gradual extension of political and economic rights could bring about a peaceful transition to socialism. In her “Social Reform and Revolution (Canvas),” Rosa Luxemburg engages in an extended critique of Bernstein’s “revisionist” position. Explain and critically discuss the debate over revisionism between Bernstein and Luxemburg.

(Q27) Lenin’s State and Revolution is one of the canonical texts of Marxism. In that text Lenin raises and addresses key questions concerning: (i) how workers are to achieve political power and (ii) the nature of the workers’ (i.e. socialist) state. With respect to the former he argues against reformist or parliamentary paths to socialism and with respect to the latter he argues for the necessity of “smashing” the state machine and replacing it with new socialist political institutions that will eventual “wither away.” Explain and critically assess these central arguments of Lenin’s State and Revolution. 

(Q28) Marx bequeathed a rich and complex body of thought, some parts of which may seem more compelling and relevant to the 21st century world than others. What, in your view, is living in Marx’s thought and should be built upon? What is dead, and is best rejected? In developing your answer critically discuss Richard Norman’s essay “What is Living and What is Dead in Marxism?” (Canvas)

(Q29) The question of the relation of means to ends has long been central to ethical thinking and political morality. Write a paper drawing on Their Morals and Ours that discusses (a) Leon Trotsky’s Marxian view of the relation of means to ends and (b) John Dewey’s critique of Trotsky’s account. Be sure to explain who you believe gets the better of the Trotsky-Dewey debate and why.

(Q30) Explain and critically discuss the ways in which Jean Paul Sartre’s play Dirty Hands dramatizes philosophical issues of political morality.

(Q31) G.A. Cohen asks: Why Not Socialism? He presents a case in favor of both its desirability and feasibilty. Critically discuss his main arguments.

(Q32) Allen Wood develops a careful reconstruction of Marx's views on morality and defense of the thesis that Marx’s critique of capitalism was not “moral” in nature. (This argument is developed in the chapters from Wood’s book "Marx on Right and Justice” and “Morality as Ideology”). On the face of it Wood’s thesis might seem implausible because Marx certainly believed that capitalism was alienating, exploitative, and oppressive. Explain Wood's account. Do you believe he has the correct interpretation of Marx? If not, explain.

(Q33) Write an essay in which you explain and critically assess Marx’s views on notions such as rights, morality, and justice focusing on “On the Jewish Question, The Critique of the Gotha Program and other texts that you deem relevant. Consider: Does Marx believe that these notions are inevitably ideological or might they have some positive role in the critique of capitalism?