Marxist theory posits that the state is not a neutral arbiter of social interests but rather an instrument of class rule. Institutions like the police, army, and courts are viewed as part of the 'repressive state apparatus' used by the ruling class to maintain their economic and political dominance over the proletariat, thereby preserving the existing capitalist social order and preventing revolutionary change.

Marx's Labor Theory of Value posits that the exchange value of a commodity is determined by the amount of 'socially necessary labor time' required for its production. This concept emphasizes that labor is the primary source of value, distinguishing between the physical labor performed and the social context of production that dictates the average time needed to create a product.

Karl Marx focused on material conditions, class struggle, and the abolition of private property as the means to achieve human emancipation. He viewed 'moral liberty' as an ideological construct used by the bourgeoisie to justify existing social relations. In contrast, thinkers like Green, Kant, and Bosanquet emphasized the internal, moral dimension of freedom, arguing that true liberty involves self-discipline and adherence to universal moral principles, which Marx rejected as insufficient for real liberation.

Karl Marx argued that revolutions are not accidental but are the result of historical processes driven by human action, specifically class struggle. By analyzing the material conditions of society, Marx posited that the proletariat would eventually overthrow the bourgeoisie. This focus on human agency within a structured economic framework remains a cornerstone of Marxist political theory and its analysis of revolutionary movements throughout history.

Marxist theory posits that history is the history of class struggles. Revolutions occur when the productive forces of society come into conflict with the existing relations of production. This tension manifests as a struggle between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the oppressed class (proletariat). When the contradictions become insurmountable, the oppressed class rises to overthrow the existing order, leading to a new stage of historical development.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels termed their political and economic theory 'Scientific Socialism' to distinguish it from the 'Utopian Socialism' of earlier thinkers like Saint-Simon and Fourier. They argued that their approach was based on a rigorous, materialist analysis of history and the objective laws of capitalist development.

M.N. Roy, initially a Marxist, eventually moved toward Radical Humanism. He critiqued historical materialism for its perceived economic determinism, which he felt undermined human agency and freedom. He argued that Marx's reliance on dialectical materialism introduced a rigid, almost idealistic determinism that failed to account for the creative potential of the individual. Thus, his rejection of the theory was directly motivated by these specific philosophical concerns.

Marxists argue that state institutions are not neutral arbiters of the common good. Instead, they serve as the 'executive committee' of the ruling class. The police, military, and courts are utilized to enforce the laws and social order that protect the interests of the dominant economic class, thereby maintaining the status quo and suppressing potential dissent from the working class.

Marx predicted that capitalism would lead to the polarization of society into two main classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. He argued that the middle class (the petite bourgeoisie) would be squeezed out by the concentration of capital, eventually being absorbed into the ranks of the working class. This process of 'proletarianization' is a key component of his critique of capitalist development and its inevitable collapse.

Socialism is fundamentally characterized by its emphasis on collective welfare and social equality over individualistic pursuits. Therefore, the claim that socialism prioritizes the individual over society is incorrect. Socialism advocates for the social ownership of the means of production to ensure that resources are distributed equitably, contrasting sharply with the individualistic focus of capitalist ideologies.