“Marx always insisted that he derived his system from a careful study of history,” says Lester Dekoster in this week’s Acton Commentary. “Marxists are fond of insisting that they think ‘concretely,’ which means they always stick to the facts. That this is not really the case may be shown by an illustration.”

Let us suppose that a student of Marxism grasps the truth that the concept of the classless society, the earthly paradise, is not only the capstone of Marxist theory but is also the capstone of Marxist propaganda. It is this vision which distinguishes Marxism from other forms of violent social criticism, like, say, anarchism, which has never been a serious contender for men’s allegiance. Sensing, then, that Marxism draws much of its propa­ganda appeal, both consciously and unconsciously, from the concept of a perfect society, the critic begins to examine that idea in some detail.

The full text of the essay can be found here.