From political adherence to economic determinism - Marx

Marx initially sought to overcome the political repression, as a representative of an ideological minority, through the empowerment of civil society in contrast to the centralized power of the state.

Universal suffrage would make the interest of the people come about, so he thought.

He would later on study the case of the United States and France to understand that this is not the case. That from the "prison" of political adherence, freedom to vote would shift the "prison" into purely economic terms.

Archaic political ideology losing is grip meant that progress was to be evaluated through more scientifically and quantifiable terms, namely money.

In practice, this would deceive civil society into thinking they are in control, that their best interest is being pursued, that whatever decision state or business makes is, in the end, for the benefit of all. After all, power was given by democratic vote, and free market meant that anyone was able to decide what to buy and sell.

And so political ideology was to be hidden behind the, supposedly, unbiased remarks of scientific theory. For the rich and smart to be praised for their accomplishments and for the weak to suffer what they must.