Marxism, Identity And Intersectionality

Marxism, identity politics, and intersectionality are three significant theories that analyse various forms of oppression and exploitation in society. The interplay of these theories inspires efforts to transform society and advocate for the rights and equality of oppressed groups. The famous slogan "Workers of the world, unite!" encapsulates the essence of Marxism, which centres on the struggle between the working class and the ruling class. Marxist theory is based on historical materialism, which explains societal development through economic structure and production relations. Marxism sees the working class as the primary revolutionary force in capitalist society and considers class struggle the central element.

Identity politics focuses on the experiences and struggles of oppressed groups based on race, gender, sexuality, and other identities. It addresses the issues faced by marginalised groups and fights for their rights and equality. For instance, the Black Lives Matter movement, which protests systemic racism and violence against Black individuals, has highlighted the interconnectedness of economic inequality and racial oppression. This movement has brought issues of police brutality and racial discrimination to the forefront of American society.

Race theory

The theory of intersectionality explains how different forms of oppression interact. Introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a pioneering American scholar who has made significant contributions to critical race theory, this theory reveals the complex interactions of various oppressions that affect individuals differently. For example, a Black woman faces both racial and gender oppression simultaneously. According to this theory, multiple identities coexist within an individual, and these identities influence the nature and experience of oppression. In Nepal, for instance, Madhesi women experience both ethnic and gender discrimination. The 2006 People's Movement in Nepal incorporated the issues of indigenous, Madhesi, and Dalit communities in the new constitution, aiming to make these communities more inclusive.

In the context of Marxism, there is criticism that it focuses solely on class struggle, ignoring other forms of oppression. Similarly, identity politics is criticised for neglecting economic class and class struggle. By integrating the theory of intersectionality into Marxism, the limitations of both perspectives can be addressed. While Marxism includes the importance of economic class, intersectionality encompasses the interactions and complexities of various forms of oppression. The Dalit movement in India, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s (with the construction of the constitution in 1950 under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar), challenged caste-based discrimination and fought for economic equality, making the movement more comprehensive.

Historically, there have been numerous movements that have linked class struggle with race and gender. For example, the Black Panther Party, a group fighting for the rights of Black Americans, highlighted the intersection of class struggle and racial oppression in the American civil rights movement. This paved the way for broad social transformation. Similarly, in contemporary times, the Black Lives Matter movement, which protests systemic racism and violence against Black individuals, has exposed the connection between police brutality, racial discrimination, and economic inequality. Additionally, labour movements have been addressing racial and gender discrimination in their workplaces while fighting for the rights of the working class.

In real life, various aspects of identity such as race, gender, and sexuality impact economic class. By incorporating the concept of intersectionality into class struggle, we can build inclusive and effective social movements, paving the way for comprehensive societal transformation. By bridging the gap between Marxism and identity politics with an intersectional perspective, we can create a just and equitable society. This fosters social, economic, and cultural transformation. Marxism emphasises the necessity of revolution led by the working class to end capitalist exploitation and oppression. It envisions a classless society where the means of production are collectively owned, and everyone has equal opportunities. 

However, this theory has been criticised for neglecting other forms of oppression due to its sole focus on economic class. In contrast, identity politics brings attention to the issues of marginalised groups and fights for their rights and equality. It helps address discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, and other identities. Feminist movements have played a crucial role in fighting for women's rights and ending gender discrimination. Similarly, LGBTQ+ rights movements have been striving to end discrimination and oppression based on sexual and gender identity. Intersectionality, on the other hand, clarifies how different forms of oppression interact. It shows that multiple identities coexist within an individual, influencing their experiences of oppression. For instance, a Black woman simultaneously faces racial and gender discrimination. In this context, the theory of intersectionality helps bridge the gap between Marxism and identity politics, making both theories more comprehensive and inclusive.

The global communist movement envisions a classless society. Marxism has played a central role in this movement. However, over time, to make the movement more inclusive and comprehensive, it has been necessary to incorporate the principles of identity politics and intersectionality. Marxism envisions a revolution led by the working class to free society from capitalist exploitation. This movement has manifested differently in various countries, such as the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (1917), the Chinese Revolution led by Mao Zedong (1949), and the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro (1959).

Various oppressed groups

Over time, the movement has started incorporating the issues of various oppressed groups through the principles of identity politics. For example, communist movements in America and Europe have begun addressing issues such as women's rights, racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. In Nepal, the 2006 People's Movement incorporated the issues of indigenous, Madhesi, and Dalit communities in the new constitution. Thus, the theory of intersectionality has helped make the global communist movement more comprehensive and inclusive. It shows that we must address not only class struggle but also discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, and other identities. 

For instance, the Dalit movement in India has been challenging caste-based discrimination while fighting for economic equality. In conclusion, Marxism, identity politics, and intersectionality are complementary theories. Their interplay helps us understand and address various forms of oppression in society comprehensively. The global communist movement can envision an equitable, just, and classless society by incorporating these three theories. This paves the way for a broad struggle for the rights and equality of various oppressed groups.

(Dr. Dhakal is an Associate Professor at Tribhuvan University.)