Meaning: The quote, "The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them," is attributed to Karl Marx, a German philosopher, economist, and political theorist. This statement reflects Marx's critical view of the political systems in which the oppressed are given the illusion of choice and representation, while the underlying power dynamics and class oppression remain unchanged.

Marx's quote highlights the concept of political representation within a society where class struggle and exploitation are prevalent. In many political systems, particularly those characterized by capitalism, the ruling class maintains its power and control over the means of production, while the oppressed classes are granted the opportunity to participate in periodic elections to choose their representatives. However, Marx's perspective suggests that this form of representation is merely a superficial concession, as the fundamental structures of oppression and exploitation persist regardless of which individuals are chosen to hold political office.

In the context of Marxist theory, the "oppressing class" refers to the bourgeoisie, or the capitalist class, which owns and controls the means of production, such as factories, land, and resources. The "oppressed" class, on the other hand, encompasses the proletariat, or the working class, who must sell their labor power to the bourgeoisie in exchange for wages. According to Marx, the relationship between these two classes is inherently exploitative, as the bourgeoisie extracts surplus value from the labor of the proletariat, resulting in economic inequality and social alienation.

Marx's critique of political representation aligns with his broader analysis of the capitalist mode of production and its impact on social and political structures. He argues that the state, including its political institutions and processes, serves to perpetuate the interests of the ruling class and maintain the existing social order. In this context, elections and representative democracy are viewed as mechanisms through which the bourgeoisie exercises its influence and control over the working class, rather than avenues for genuine emancipation and empowerment.

The notion of "choosing representatives to represent and repress" reflects Marx's skepticism regarding the ability of the oppressed to achieve meaningful change through electoral politics alone. While periodic elections may offer the illusion of democratic participation and choice, Marx contends that they ultimately serve to legitimize and perpetuate the dominance of the ruling class. The representatives elected by the oppressed are, in Marx's view, constrained by the overarching structures of capitalist exploitation and are thus limited in their capacity to challenge the systemic inequalities and injustices inherent in the capitalist system.

From a Marxist perspective, the quote underscores the need for a more radical and transformative approach to addressing the root causes of oppression and exploitation. Marx advocates for the overthrow of the capitalist mode of production and the establishment of a classless society in which the means of production are collectively owned and controlled. In this vision, genuine representation and self-determination would emerge through the abolition of class distinctions and the empowerment of the working class to govern society in its own interests.

In summary, Karl Marx's quote encapsulates his critical assessment of political representation within the context of class struggle and capitalist exploitation. It illuminates his belief that the formal mechanisms of democracy under capitalism serve to perpetuate the dominance of the ruling class, rather than genuinely empowering the oppressed. The quote underscores Marx's call for a fundamental reconfiguration of social and economic relations to achieve true emancipation and liberation from the structures of oppression.