Marx argues that men distinguish themselves from animals by producing their means of subsistence through their physical labor. By producing their subsistence, men indirectly produce their material life and social relations, which Marx refers to as the "mode of production." The mode of production determines what is possible in society and shapes class struggles between social groups defined by their relationship to the means of production.

1. “Men can be distinguished from animals by consciousness, by religion or anything else
you like. They begin to distinguish themselves from animals as soon as they begin to
produce their means of subsistence, a step which is conditioned by their physical
organization. By producing their means of subsistence men are indirectly producing
their actual material life.” –Marx
[In McLellan, D. (1973) pp. 144-145]
Marx’s Theories and Ideas
Marx’s model is referred to as ‘base’ and ‘superstructure’ model.
Within said model, the material is referenced as “means of production” and
surrounds “forces of production” and “objects of production”.
“Relations of production” refers to the social side.
“The mode of production” is the combination of the relations and means of
production that define societies essential nature.
Marx defines class as an objective representation in relation to the means of
production.
Marx also introduces the idea of “class consciousness” in some works.
Class struggle transforms society; the material factors within society are the
determinants of what is possible.
Marx defines class as an objective representation in relation to the means of
production.
Marx also introduces the idea of “class consciousness” in some works.
Class struggle transforms society; the material factors within society are the
determinants of what is possible.
Throughout history there has been class struggles.
However, beneath that struggle is the development of productive forces.
Feudalism created aspects of capitalism but the system itself had to be eradicated
in order for capitalism to thrive.
In the beginning capitalism was largely progressive, however, after a while it puts
a strain on further human development.
Technical developments within capitalism prove it is possible creating a better
world, although, whether it occurs depends on active participation of people and
class struggle.

2. Modes of Production
Primitive Communism: this concept originated from Marx and ‘Friedrich
Engels’ both arguing that societies were originally based on egalitarian (people
who believed in equal opportunities) social relations etc.
Antiquity: meaning the ancient past; prior to the middle ages.
Feudalism: a social system of the Middle Ages in which people fought and
worked for nobles who gave them land use and protection in return.
Capitalism: is a political and economic system within which the country’s
industry and trade get controlled by private owners (for profit) instead of by the
state.
Exploitation
In antiquity, plebeians (commoners) and slaves get exploited by the
upper classes; patricians.
In feudalism, the serfs (lowest feudal class) as well as the peasants are
exploited by aristocracy and landowners.
In capitalism, the proletarians (industry workers) are exploited by the
bourgeoisie (capitalists).
The Communist Manifesto
Freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild master and
journeyman, in a word, oppressor and oppressed, stood in constant
opposition to one another, carried on an uninterrupted, now hidden, now
open fight, that each time ended, either in the revolutionary reconstitution
of society at large, or in the common ruin of the contending classes.”
Karl Marx,
Socialism
It's important to note, however, that Marx never argued in any sustained fashion that
socialism was inevitable he knew there are too many factors in history to make a
prediction possible. He did not have a clear idea about what the next stage after
capitalism would be. The increasing concentration, he thought, would facilitate
a communist system. In that system, however, man also would have to eliminate his
"alienation." One possibility, which Marx imagined, was complete mechanization of
production, so that any man could do any job. In the Communist Manifesto, Marx went
into greater detail about how this revolution would unfold. He also advocated for mass-

3. murder and terror, even specifically telling Frederick Engels in correspondences to each
other: “There is only one way of shortening, simplifying, and concentrating the
bloodthirsty death-throes of the old society and the bloody birth pangs of the new
revolutionary terror.
Views on Religion
Marx's view on religion is mostly based on Ludwig Feuerbach's ideas. And his feelings
toward the subject are not entirely clear. Marx is considered very controversial in
religious circles for his statement, "Religion is the opiate of the masses," yet he also
stated that religion is "the heart of a heartless world." This was written in his 1843 work
"A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right" and expresses Marx's
belief that religion offers a false palliative to assuage the suffering of "the oppressed." He
also stated in the 10 Planks of Communism that one of the necessary requirements for
Communism was abolishing religion alongside the family. He also made some poems
dedicated to Satan, which caused some to think he was a Satanist instead of an Atheist.
During the Russian Revolution, the Russian Communist Party was highly critical of
religion (likely seeing it as a threat to their Marxist agenda) and, after taking over,
sought to destroy all forms of it.
Conclusion
Marxist theory talks about the capitalism: as to how the bourgeoise rule over the
proletariat. They exploit the working class for their self interest.
It tells that proletariat have to take some steps (unite and revolt) in order to
overthrow the rule of dominating class.
But in actual practice socialism cannot be accomplished only through class
conflict and a proletarian revolution according to some social democrats.