The German Ideology: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

Marx is, in this section of the German Ideology, talking about the division of labor into the typical of all society, two classes: the ruling class and the working class. The ruling class is both the material force and intellectual force of society according to Marx. This class has the means of material production and control over the means for mental production as well. The result of this combination of controls is ultimate dominating power of the ruling class over the working class.

The division of labor has been one of the main forces of history up through today. This is manifested in the separations of mental and material labor. One part of this division is seen as thinkers; active, conceptive ideologists who come up with the ideas for the class. The other side is viewed as more passive and receptive, and in reality the active members, who do the material labor, have less time to make up ideas and illusions about themselves and the class. This difference and division between these tow parts develops into opposition and hostility. Also, the existence of evolutionary ideas in a specific period presupposes the presence of a revolutionary class.

Marx goes on to propose that some may separate the ideas of the ruling class itself and attribute them to an independent existence, saying that the concepts of honor and loyalty were dominant during the time of aristocracy (people considered to be in the highest social class in society, who traditionally have land, money, and power) and that during the dominance of the bourgeoisie (social class which owns the means of production) concepts of freedom and equality were the main ideas. He says that abstract ideas are beginning to take on the form of universality, for each new class that takes the place of the ruling class before it is compelled to represent its interest as the interest of all members of the society. This is the ideal form, however, and unlikely.

The making of a revolution included the whole of society against the ruling class. Common interest between all members of the non-ruling class brings them together in unity against “the bad guys.” Revolutions of this type offer opportunities for members of other classes, which although they are not in a dominant position, are no in a position to raise themselves into the ruling class. For example, when the French bourgeoisie overthrew the aristocracy, it made it possible for many proletarians (working class) to raise themselves higher in the system.

In conclusion, the main point I think Marx is trying to make is that ideas for how the society is run come from the ruling class. The rule of a certain class is only the rule of certain ideas, but as soon as the class rule in general stops being the form from which society is organized, this comes to an end. Once the ruling ideas have been divided from the ruling individuals and from the associations which result from a given stage of production, it is easier to understand all the different ideas and concepts as “forms of self-determination” in concept developing in history; “the idea” as the dominant force in history.