Marx's Oversight of Thomas Paine's Moral Virtue and the Impossibility of a Stateless, Classless Society.

What Marx Overlooked

Karl Marx's vision of a stateless, classless society, as articulated in his works on communism, stands as a revolutionary blueprint for an idealized form of human organization. Marx’s theories advocate for the eventual dissolution of the state and the class structure, based on his critique of capitalism and his belief in historical materialism.

However, a critical examination of Thomas Paine’s arguments in "Common Sense" reveals a significant aspect that Marx overlooked: Paine's identification of a fundamental defect in moral virtue that necessitates the establishment of government in the first place.

This oversight reveals a potential flaw in Marx’s ideal of a stateless society, suggesting that such a society might be inherently unachievable due to the nature of human morality and social organization.

Thomas Paine’s Moral Virtue and the Need for Government

In "Common Sense," Thomas Paine argues that government arises out of the need to address inherent defects in human moral virtue.

Paine identifies a fundamental issue: human beings, while capable of reason and moral judgments, are also subject to passions and personal interests that can lead to conflict and injustice. Paine posits that government is a necessary institution to mediate these conflicts and to maintain social order. He argues that, without government, the failings of human nature would lead to anarchy and disorder.

Paine's perspective is rooted in the belief that human beings are not inherently virtuous and that moral failings are a part of human nature. Thus, government is not merely a product of historical contingencies or economic conditions but a structural necessity to manage the inherent flaws in human behavior and morality.

This view suggests that government functions as a mechanism to curb and channel human passions, providing a framework within which justice and social order can be maintained.

Marx’s Vision of a Stateless, Classless Society

Karl Marx, on the other hand, envisions a future where the state and class structures are abolished. According to Marx, the state is an instrument of class oppression that perpetuates inequality and exploitation under capitalism.

His theory proposes that with the establishment of a classless society, where the means of production are communally owned and controlled, the state will become obsolete.

Marx argues that the end of class struggle will lead to the dissolution of the state, resulting in a harmonious, stateless society where individuals freely cooperate and contribute according to their abilities and needs.

Marx’s ideal society is predicated on the assumption that once class antagonisms are resolved, human relationships will transform, eliminating the need for coercive institutions like the state.

This vision presupposes a fundamental change in human nature or at least a significant transformation in social relations that would render traditional forms of governance unnecessary.

The Clash Between Paine’s and Marx’s Theories

The key point of contention between Paine and Marx lies in their assumptions about human nature and the role of government.

Paine’s identification of a moral defect in human nature suggests that government is an essential institution to manage the inherent imperfections of human behavior.

In contrast, Marx’s theory of a stateless society assumes that eliminating class conflict will resolve the need for governmental structures.

Paine’s argument implies that government is a response to a perennial aspect of human nature—namely, the tendency toward moral failings and the resulting conflicts.

Marx’s vision, however, assumes that societal transformation will result in the eradication of these conflicts.

If Paine’s view is correct, then Marx’s ideal of a stateless society might be fundamentally flawed.

The persistence of human moral imperfections could mean that some form of governance or institutional structure will always be necessary to manage and mediate conflicts.

Moreover, Marx’s theory might underestimate the complexity of human social interactions and the role of institutions in maintaining social cohesion.

Even in a classless society, issues of moral virtue, social order, and conflict resolution would likely persist, necessitating some form of organized structure, whether or not it resembles traditional state forms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Karl Marx’s vision of a stateless, classless society overlooks the crucial insight provided by Thomas Paine regarding the defect in moral virtue that necessitates government. Paine’s argument highlights a fundamental aspect of human nature that Marx’s theory does not fully address.

While Marx’s critique of capitalism and his vision of a classless society offer valuable insights into the potential for human liberation, the assumption that such a society can exist without some form of governance may be overly optimistic.

The inherent flaws in human nature, as identified by Paine, suggest that some level of institutional structure might always be necessary to manage conflicts and maintain social order, challenging the feasibility of Marx’s idealized vision of a completely stateless society.

(Cross posted from my substack, clintonalden.substack.com)