Marxism and Religion in Utopia: Rethinking Kautsky's Interpretation of Thomas More

Sammanfattning

Historically, the relationship between Marxism and Religion has been studied primarily as antagonistic. Previous research shows that Marxism, especially following Lenin’s contributions to the movement, has been seen as hostile, especially towards Christianity. This does not have to be the case strictly. Studying the Second International's (1889) most prominent thinker, Karl Kautsky (1854-1938), reveals a different relationship. Kautsky proposed that communism is a grand theory that has developed throughout history, from Plato and the ancient Greeks to more modern figures such as the Apostles and Thomas Muntzer (1489-1525). Kautsky credits one Christian figure as the clearest link between Marxism and Christianity, namely the British theologian Thomas More (1478-1535). This thesis aims to explore Kautsky’s most prominent work on Thomas More, namely, Thomas More and His Utopia (1888). Doing this can reframe and reexplore the relationship between Marxism and Christianity through a new lens. Kautsky is a prominent writer but has been left out of modern research, leaving the source material largely unexplored. This thesis aims to address that. Using qualitative content analysis, this thesis examines different themes and reasoning found within the work. Previous research on the work has identified one central thread: Public Ownership. This thesis identifies multiple more, one of Alienation, one of Radical Equality, and one of the purposes of Kautsky's writing. With this, the thesis aims to offer a new perspective on Kautsky, the relationship between Marxism and Christianity, and future research in the field of politics and religion.