Marxoriginally put forward the idea that the statewas a tool of [[file:20200720100714-class_struggle.org][class struggle]]. The idea that eventually came from Marx was the idea that the bourgeoisieuse the repressive nature of the state to foster capitalismand to keep workers in check.

Kautskybelieved that workers could use the state to their own ends by having a party that controlled sections of the government.

Leninand most ideological descendants of Lenin believed that the statehad to be purged of all of its bourgeois elements and used against reactionary forces in order to transition to communismduring a transition period This lead to a kind of state socialism

Anarchistsfor the most part believe the assertion that the state is a tool of class struggle but that it cannot be wielded for the benefit of the proletariat and that it must be destroyed at first chance.