Manoj Sadasivan has written a thought-provoking comparison of Vivekananda and Marx. The two points of comparison:
- Religion. Vivekananda’s constant affirmation of service to the poor and raising of the shudra class is closely tied to his notions of character development and spirituality — religious things. “So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor, who having educated at their expense pays not the least heed to them.” Marx, on the other hand, dismisses religion as “the opium of the people,” something that merely numbs the pains of daily life, and which the ruling class exploits (and has exploited throughout history) to dominate the working class.
- Nationalism. Vivekananda, spark of Indian nationalism, was a burning patriot. “One vision I see as life before me, that the ancient Mother India has awakened once more sitting on her throne rejuvenated more glorious than ever.” Marx saw the working class as without borders. “Working men of all countries, unite!”
This comparison becomes most interesting when Vivekananda declares, “I am a Socialist.” But he qualifies it further — “I am a socialist, not because it is a perfect system, but because I believe that half a loaf is better than no bread.” Having met Kropotkin at the Paris Exhibition in 1900 (src), Vivekananda likely had a good understanding of the Socialist movements of the time.
It is interesting that one of our religious heroes aligned himself so clearly with a political movement that, in a post-Soviet world, has been shot down as futile and against human nature. But Vivekananda dedicated his life to showing us our true human nature — perhaps, though Marx would vomit at the thought, that true spiritual nature synergizes with socialism.
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It’s interesting that there can be such different approaches to the same end. The way I seem can think of reconciling this is by looking at human nature. Marx envisioned a world in which everyone would be enthusiastic in working towards the common good. Yet unfortunately, it is human nature to become lazy when rewards and punishments are not readily tangible. Religion provides a framework for people to work towards a common good. The Hindu concepts of karma and dharma especially provide motivation for people to help those who are less fortunate.
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