Publication Date
6-11-2025
Document Type
Working Paper
Advisor
Professor John Hall
Journal of Economic Literature Classification Codes
B14; I31; P21
Key Words
Ideology, Marxism, Soviet Union, Universal Welfare, Distribution
Abstract
This inquiry seeks to establish that although in his writings Karl Marx emphasized “Universal Welfare” as a central ideal, its appearance and realization in the Soviet Union was affected by tensions between ideology and the realities of centralized economic control. The first section explores Marx’s vision of universal welfare as a structural component of a post-capitalist society rooted in collective ownership and human emancipation. The second section examines how the Soviet Union institutionalized welfare across sectors such as education, healthcare, housing, and employment, while access to these services was often influenced by labor contribution and political loyalty. The final section analyzes how bureaucratic inefficiencies and hierarchical governance limited the system’s capacity to fulfill Marx’s understanding of egalitarian aims. By focusing on this gap between ideology and institutional reality, this inquiry reveals how structural design could indeed shape, and sometimes undermine, the implementation of social ideals. Journal of
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44029
Citation Details
Jang, Eunji. "Universal Welfare” in Marxist Thought, and Its Implementation During the Era of the Soviet Union. Working Paper No. 101". Portland State University Economics Working Papers. (11 June 2025; i + 13 pages)