[Marxism] Karl Marx - On the Jewish Question

["Chris Warren" <cwarren@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Karl Marx: On The Jewish Question



This is a difficult text.  It has caused controversy about the relevance of
Marxism to the problems of humanity

[For example; Google "Hank Roth's PNews"].



When a man of Marx's calibre addresses this question, do not be surprised if
his work is misunderstood by many radicals from other traditions.  Some have
seen it as an unwanted attack, even as an illegitimate ethnic attack on
Jews.  Marx has been characterized as an arbitrary antiSemite. This is not
so.  The same points about true human emancipation and its relationship to
the political/economic structure of society can be made using any form of
identity such as; religious (Islam), ethnic (gypsies), racist (blacks) and
etc.



Even under capitalism, it is still necessary for a modern 'democratic'
welfare state to eliminate any differences based on identity - this is what
people want.  In government departments, Catholics and Protestants, gays and
straights, whites and blacks, work together best if they avoid expressions
of Catholicism, homosexuality, white identity, and etc.  In general,
provided everyone gets the same wages, conditions and career prospects, this
occurs naturally and easily.



So the real answer to the Jewish Question is:



- either everyone exists in society as a Jew (not possible), or

- no-one exists in society as a Jew (despite their private being).



[This only, in the context that this does not apply only to Judaism]



This is achieved, not by opposing Judaism but by ensuring it remains a
private affair ie not in civil society.  Of course this answer applies to
all forms of identity - so Marx's "Jewish Question", properly understood, is
not about Jews as such.  "On the Jewish Question" was merely an occasion to
consider broader issues.



For me the main message was:  "For true freedom as a social being, all forms
of human difference must become private affairs". Political emancipation (as
typified by Equal Opportunity legislation) is not enough.



Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Bhuddism have all constructed
economic and political superstructures (or privileges) within society.  They
have all divided society on the basis of one social group being chosen or
"enlightened", compared to non-believers, pagans, infidels or gentiles.



In another context Marx's "On the Jewish Question" could just as easily be
"On the Christian Question" or "On the Islam Question" and Marx's text would
still carry the same message (with consequential amendments of course).



As Marx said in the "Jewish Question" - Political emancipation is a great
progress but is not the final form of human emancipation inside the present
world order.



However all this only applies to social oppressive relationships based on
identity.  You cannot approach questions of mundane gender and ethnicity in
the same way.  Marxism only attacks the consequential erection of oppressive
social relationships (cultural, political or economic) - the capitalist
exploitation of colour, race, gender, for profit.



Religion is one dimension to this problem, and Judaism is just a particular
case.



Marxism opposes all religiousity - not just Jewish, Christian, or Islamic
versions.



In a truely free society there will be no racism (or sexism and etc.) not
because racism has been abolished by political struggle but because a
totally new society and mode of production has emerged, and any racist
instincts relegated to the private sphere.





Chris Warren

cwarren@xxxxxxxxxxx



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