Beaglehole on Marx

Prefacing his remarks with the hope that none of his audience would feel moved to rush out and send telegrams to the Queen of Tonga, Dr. J. C. Beaglehole proceeded to describe the essential features of the Marxist philosophy of history.

In the first place, the Dynamic Factors in human history, according to Marx, were Changes in the Methods of Production. "In changing the modes of production," wrote Marx. "mankind changes its social relations." And again. "The method of production in material existence conditions, social, political and mental evolution in general."

Secondly, history may be divided into a number of logically connected phases. The economic structure of capitalist society, for example, developed out of the economic structure of feudal society.

Thirdly, the history of all previous society may be regarded as the history of a struggle between classes for control of the instruments of economic production.

By way of illustration, Dr. Beaglehole proceeded to give a strictly Marxist interpretation of the French Revolution. According to Marx, the French Revolution was a perfect Revolution in that the triumph of the bourgeoisie over the feudal aristocracy was determined by a change in the material basis of society.

At this point in his discourse Dr. Beaglehole proceeded to criticize the Marxist interpretation of history. The strange point about modern Russia, the speaker argued, was that although the material basis of Russian society, is similar to that of America, Russia has produced a widely diverse ideology. If this is so, what becomes of the Marxian interpetration of history?

In the course of an amusing speech Professor Wood similarly challenged the orthodox Marxist interpretation of the French Revolution. In his opinion the French Revolution was precipitated largely by the feudal aristocracy itself which had "fallen down on its job." "Was Marx right?" have I fallen down on my job as a lecturer?" Professor Wood asked. Dr. Beaglehole was embarrassed. "Was Marx right?

Dr. Beaglehole's address was the first of a series of talks arranged by the Historical Society. The purpose of these talks is to approach the broad problem of international relations from different points of view, and thus to present a many-sided picture of the modern world.