Are Progressives Really Marxists? To answer that question we must first know what Karl Marx actually proposed.

In his famous manifesto Marx acknowledged that policies would differ between countries but listed ten which he said would be generally applicable, in the most advanced states.

Some of his proposals have, in fact, been adopted by most modern societies. These include: free education in public schools, the abolition of child labor, and the cultivation of what Marx
termed wastelands.

Even some of his proposals which were considered extremely controversial at the time have been adopted. These include the, progressive or graduated income tax, as we have in the United States, and the, centralization of credit through the establishment of national banks, such as our Federal Reserve.

Since society has embraced some of the doctrines advocated by Marx we must determine which of his doctrines actually differentiate a true Marxist from a non-Marxist.

The most controversial of the doctrines proposed by Marx involved private property. He advocated the, "abolition of property in land - and application of all rents of land to public purposes." Having gone that far he also proposed the, "abolition of all right of inheritance."

The purpose of these policies was the, "extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state." His aim was clearly the centralization of the various components of a nation's wealth "in the hands of the state."

Progressives reject the Marxist goal of abolishing private property. Progressives also reject the centralization of wealth whether in the hands of the state or of the wealthy few.

Progressives advocate a greater distribution of the components of wealth. This can best be accomplished through the broader based private ownership of property. This decentralization of wealth from the control of the few will result in greater prosperity for all.

Progressives are, therefore, not Marxists.