Gravediggers Limited: Marxism and Workers

The working class is central to the marxist enterprise. There is a virtual marxist myth constructed around the concept of proletariat. Labour is seen as central to the development of modern society. Workers are seen as the ‘gravediggers’ of capitalist society. This chapter examines firstly how Marx himself conceived of workers and their role in the marxist conceptual edifice. This is followed by a consideration of the role of workers in the Russian Revolution. This was, after all, the first time when workers had a chance to build a new society along marxist lines. This is followed by a discussion of various subsequent debates on the role of the working class in politics, such as the ‘new working class’ debate. Finally, this chapter turns to certain postmarxist themes which reconsider the traditional marxist views of the working class. Current concerns with new technology and globalization are seen to link up with the more positive premonitions of Marx himself.