Instrumentalist Marxism

Definition of Instrumentalist Marxism

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Instrumentalist Marxism: A view of the role of the state from a conflict or Marxist perspective. The state is seen as an instrument of the dominant class of the society and is assumed to operate at its behest. This approach stresses the importance of the intimate connection of the capitalist class to the state power apparatus and argues that it is this interconnection that explains political and economic policies in capitalist societies. This view has now been largely displaced by a structurally-focused analysis. See: STRUCTURALIST APPROACH / RELATIVE AUTONOMY in this legal dictionary and in the world encyclopedia of law.

Instrumentalist Marxism: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Instrumentalist Marxism. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada