VALUES AND THE FUTURE IN MARX AND MARXISM

This article re-examines from a futurist's perspective the values and images of the future in Marxist thought and assesses their validity and viability over the decades to come. It concludes that Marxist thought was not simply betrayed in action by incompetent, corrupt or power-mad leaders, although it is reasonable to question whether any regime calling itself socialist actually constituted what Marx had in mind. The theory itself as a vision of a desirable future society and as a blueprint for attaining it is inherently flawed. None the less, Marxism was based on some values that have universal validity and that will continue to have worldwide appeal. Thus, people calling themselves Marxists can be expected to continue to produce revisions of theory and political practice. Additionally, it specifies some implications of Marxism for modern futurists. © 1991.