Have been delving into this Marxist theory for quite a time. Based on what I was able to understand of dialectical materialism, ideas are caused by chemical reactions and we need to meet material criteria in order to fulfill such.
This then leads to the question. Is the current thinking of transgender rights activism idealist? Because more people seem to be advocating for social transition which seems to be contradictory to dialectical materialism.
Dialectical materialism, the philosophical foundation of Marxist theory, asserts that material conditions shape ideas and consciousness. According to this view, the material world exists independently of human thought, and societal changes arise from contradictions in material conditions, rather than abstract ideas or ideals. In this framework, ideas, including ideologies and beliefs, are seen as reflections of the material conditions and power structures in society.
When considering transgender rights activism through a Marxist lens, it’s essential to distinguish between idealism (which sees ideas as primary) and materialism (which sees material conditions as primary). Some Marxists might argue that focusing on social transition and identity politics appears idealist because it centers on individuals’ subjective experiences of gender, which could be interpreted as rooted in personal identity rather than the material conditions of society. They might view social transition or self-identification as an expression of individual choice that doesn’t directly address material inequalities, such as economic class, wealth, and power disparities. In this interpretation, prioritizing identity-based politics could be seen as a form of “idealism” because it foregrounds personal or cultural identity as a driving force for change, rather than material conditions like labor relations or economic exploitation.
However, this interpretation can be challenged. One could argue that transgender rights activism is fundamentally materialist if it’s understood as a struggle against concrete social, legal, and economic structures that enforce binary gender norms, and perpetuate inequality and discrimination. Transgender individuals face material realities such as employment discrimination, healthcare access issues, poverty, and violence, which are deeply connected to the broader structure of capitalism and social reproduction. Advocating for transgender rights could be seen as addressing those material conditions, particularly when activism is concerned with fighting for healthcare access (e.g., hormone therapy and surgeries), legal protections, housing, and employment opportunities.
In other words, whether transgender rights activism is considered idealist or materialist from a Marxist perspective depends on how one interprets the activism:
1. If it is viewed as primarily concerned with subjective identity and personal experience, some Marxists might critique it as leaning toward idealism.
2. If it’s viewed as addressing the real material conditions and structures of oppression that transgender people face, it aligns more closely with dialectical materialism.
The tension between these interpretations also highlights broader debates within Marxism about the role of identity politics in revolutionary struggles. Some Marxists argue that focusing on identity divides the working class and distracts from the core issue of class struggle, while others believe that all forms of oppression, including those based on gender, must be addressed as part of the broader struggle for emancipation.