Liberal Marxism

Liberal Marxism is an approach that combines elements of Marxism and liberal thought, seeking to reconcile core liberal values such as individual rights and democracy with Marxist critiques of capitalism and class.

Liberal Marxism can also be viewed as liberal socialism in a broad sense, but liberal socialism in a narrow sense often refers to social liberalism or social democracy that supports social ownership and the rights of property. Karl Marx is generally known as a critic of liberalism and liberal rights. However, some socialists claim that he praised the achievements of liberalism, such as freedom of speech, and defended the substantive freedom, only criticizing the freedom in the great inequality of wealth and power. Indeed, Karl Marx was himself a radical-liberal and a prominent member of the Young Hegelians during his youth, a period in which he strongly advocated for freedom of the press and democratic reforms.