neomarxismo

Neomarxismo is a broad term encompassing a range of 20th and 21st-century intellectual traditions that draw upon and critically engage with the theories of Karl Marx. While accepting Marx's fundamental analysis of capitalism, class struggle, and historical materialism, neomarxists have often expanded or modified his ideas to address new social, economic, and political phenomena. Key divergences from classical Marxism include a greater emphasis on cultural and ideological factors, the role of the state beyond mere repression, and the analysis of non-economic forms of oppression such as those based on race, gender, and sexuality.

Prominent schools within neomarxism include the Frankfurt School, which developed critical theory, focusing on the critique of mass culture, instrumental reason, and the "culture industry." Thinkers like Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, and Herbert Marcuse explored how capitalist societies maintain their dominance not just through economic coercion but also through the manipulation of consciousness and the creation of false needs. Another significant strand is Western Marxism, which, while varied, often involved a rejection of the Soviet model of Marxism and a focus on analyzing the complexities of advanced capitalist societies, including the concept of hegemony developed by Antonio Gramsci.

More contemporary neomarxist thought continues to engage with globalization, neoliberalism, identity politics, and environmental issues, seeking to adapt Marxist analytical tools to understand and challenge contemporary power structures. While united by a commitment to critiquing capitalism and advocating for social justice, neomarxist approaches differ in their specific theoretical frameworks and proposed solutions.