The overarching ideology of Marxism, founded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the mid-19th century, centers on the critique of capitalism and the belief in a class struggle between the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (capitalist class). Marxism advocates for a revolutionary transformation of society, aiming to establish a classless society where the means of production are communally owned. This ideology inspired various revolutionary movements around the globe, affecting countries such as Russia, China, and Cuba, leading to the establishment of socialist states. Marxism's analysis of capitalism and class struggle remains a foundational perspective in social and political theory.