A teoria do estado moderno: o contratualismo e a crítica marxiana

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the critique of Marxian thought to the theories of the modern State found in the contractualist perspective. The study begins by exposing the contractualist formulations about the origin and the function of the State in society, rescuing the particularities of the thinkers Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau regarding the characterization of man, state of nature, State and civil society. We will see then, under the Marxian perspective, the ontological foundation of the State from the studies developed by Engels in the work "The Origin of Private Property and the State Family”. We identified that to understand the role of the State in society is necessary, first of all, to place it in the historical processuality, which allowed us to observe that this instantiates emerges to mediate the contradictions arising from a society based on exploitation of man by man. We also performed the criticism of the relation identified in the contractualist thinking among "human nature" and the need of the State. The philosopher György Lukács provides the substantiation necessary to understand that man does not have a human nature determined a priori. The research also permeates the analysis of the ideals of liberty and equality guaranteed by the state, according to the contractualism. In light of the Marxian critique, we will search to point out the limits of these principles as from the distinction presented between political emancipation and human emancipation. Also in Marx, we will debate about the relation established between civil society and State. Finally, to demonstrate the actuality of marxian thought, we resort to the contributions of István Mészáros, who clarifies that the changes in the political structure will not be able to modify the structures of society in view of that its function goes directly in the opposite direction, that is the maintenance of capital order. And that for more democratic the state can be set up, it keeps its essential function of mediation of the class conflicts with views to ensure the supremacy of the class that holds the economic power. In this sense, it points to the need to overcome the State along with the material conditions that support it.