Which one of the following political theories advocates the withering away of the state and ushering in a new society in which there will be no state and no classes ?

The theory of the 'withering away of the state' is a fundamental tenet of Marxism. According to Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, the state is a coercive instrument used by the dominant class to maintain control over the subject class [t1]. In the transition to a communist society, the proletariat seizes the means of production, effectively ending class distinctions [t1][t2]. Once society is no longer divided into classes, the state loses its primary function as an organ of class rule and 'withers away' [t1][t7]. This leads to a classless and stateless society where the government of persons is replaced by the administration of things. In contrast, Liberalism advocates for a minimal or welfare state [c5], while Democratic Socialism and Fabian Socialism seek to reform the state through democratic and gradualist means rather than its total abolition [c1][c3].

Sources

1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withering_away_of_the_state
2. [2] Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > LIBERALISM > p. 23
3. [3] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 177
4. [4] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > Socialistic Principles > p. 109