Historicism and its critics: the case of Karl Marx
Historicism and its critics: the case of Karl Marx

Summary/Abstract: The article investigates Karl Marx’s theory of history in the light of arguments made by Karl Popper, Isaiah Berlin and Friedrich Hayek. It investigates the concepts of historicism and determinism. Firstly, historicism is defined as a thinking which maintains that human history progresses according to certain laws, which can be discerned. Secondly, determinism is viewed as the belief that history has a predetermined ending, derivable from these laws. The article then applies the two concepts to Marx’s writings. The article argues that Marx’s theory of history can be understood in two ways: one centered on the struggle of classes, the other on development of productive forces. However both can be subsumed under a similar model. Finally, Marx’s theory of history is both historicist and deterministic.

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