Crossword Genius

Cross after forceful pushback from political theorist? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

marx

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'pushback from political theorist?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'cross after forceful' is the wordplay.
'cross' becomes 'x' (an X is a cross).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'forceful' becomes 'mar' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'x' after 'mar' is 'MARX'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for marx that I've seen before include "Karl -, (Das Kapital)" , "Karl, top communist" , "Communist or funny brother?" , "The Economist" , "Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, Gummo - or Karl?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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