Karl Marx

Easton Press Karl Marx books

Das Kapital, A Critique of Political Economy (2 volumes) - 1992
Karl Marx, His Life and Thought - David McLellan
The Communist Manifesto and Other Writings - Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx - 2005

Franklin Library Karl Marx books

Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto - Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx - Great Books of the Western World - 1984

Karl Marx biography

Karl Marx was a German philosopher, sociologist, economist, political theorist, and revolutionary socialist who profoundly influenced the course of modern history with his opinions on capitalism, socialism, and communism. He was born on May 5, 1818, in Trier, in the Kingdom of Prussia (now in Germany), into an established Jewish family. Marx received a classical education and later studied law and philosophy at the University of Bonn and the University of Berlin. Marx completed his doctoral thesis, titled The Difference Between the Democritean and Epicurean Philosophy of Nature, in 1841, and submitted it to the University of Jena. He was awarded a Ph.D. in April 1841. In his early years, Marx developed a keen interest in the works of philosophers such as Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Ludwig Feuerbach, as well as in the socialist and revolutionary movements of his time. He began his career as a journalist and writer, contributing articles to radical newspapers and journals. During this period, Marx also became involved in various political and social causes, advocating for the rights of workers and criticizing the injustices of capitalism.

In 1844, Marx befriended Friedrich Engels, the German socialist, and became a communist. Marx’s The Poverty of Philosophy was published in 1847. In 1848, Marx and Friedrich Engels published their most famous work, The Communist Manifesto, which laid out their vision for a classless society based on common ownership of the means of production. The manifesto called for the overthrow of the capitalist society and the establishment of a communist system where the working class, or "proletariat" would govern collectively.

Throughout his life, Marx devoted himself to the study of economics and history, seeking to establish the underlying mechanisms of social change and exploitation. In his seminal work, Das Kapital, Marx analyzed the workings of capitalism, arguing that it inevitably leads to the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, while the majority of people suffer from poverty and exploitation. The first volume, Capital, Volume I, was published in 1867. Marx continued to work on the remaining two volumes which were published after his death by Engels. Capital, Volume II was published in 1885 and Capital, Volume III in 1894. Considered to be his masterwork, Capital has been translated into all the major languages.

Marx continued to argue for social and political changes, inspiring generations of activists and revolutionaries around the world. His opinions had a profound impact on the development of socialist and communist movements, shaping the course of revolutions leading to communism in the former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and elsewhere. Karl Marx died on March 14, 1883, in London, England, but his legacy lives on as one of the most influential figures in modern history. His opinions continue to be debated, studied, and applied by those pushing for social justice and movement of society towards left wing ideology.

 

The Communist Manifesto

The Communist Manifesto is a political pamphlet written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, first published in 1848. This seminal work outlines the principles and goals of communism and has had a profound impact on the course of modern history. At the time of its writing, Europe was undergoing significant social and economic upheaval due to industrialization, urbanization, modernization and the rise of capitalism. Marx and Engels, both prominent figures in the socialist and revolutionary movements of their time, sought to provide a comprehensive analysis of the capitalist system and propose a revolutionary alternative.

The Communist Manifesto begins with the famous opening line: "A spectre is haunting Europe—the spectre of communism." It goes on to outline the historical development of class struggle and the rise of capitalism, arguing that throughout history, societies have been characterized by the conflict between oppressor and oppressed classes. In the capitalist mode of production, Marx and Engels argue, this conflict is manifested as the struggle between the bourgeoisie (the capitalist class) and the proletariat (the working class). The manifesto contends that capitalism is inherently unstable and unsustainable, leading to economic crises, social inequality, and the exploitation of the working class. It predicts that these contradictions will eventually lead to the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a classless society based on common ownership of the means of production.

The Communist Manifesto outlines the goals of the communist movement, including banning ownership of private property, the centralization of industry and transportation, the establishment of a progressive income tax, and the implementation of socialized education for all children. It concludes with the famous line: "Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!"

Despite being written over 170 years ago, The Communist Manifesto remains a influential political document, triggering countless revolutions, movements, and political ideologies around the world. Its narrative continues to shape debates on capitalism, socialism and economics.

 

Das Kapital

Das Kapital (Capital: Critique of Political Economy) is one of the most significant and influential works of economic and political theory in modern history. The full title, Das Kapital: Kritik der politischen Ökonomie (Capital: Critique of Political Economy), reflects its aim to critique capitalist society and provide an analysis of its inner workings.

Born out of Marx's extensive study of political economy and his observations of the social and economic conditions of modern industrial capitalist societies, Das Kapital was first published in 1867. Marx dedicated much of his life to writing this monumental work, which aimed to uncover the underlying laws of motion of the capitalist mode of production and to expose his perceived contradictions inherent in the capitalist society. The central focus of Das Kapital is his perceived concept of surplus value, which Marx argues is the source of capitalist profit and the exploitation of the working class. Marx meticulously examines the process of capitalist production, circulation, and accumulation, arguing that capital accumulates through the exploitation of labor. He also explores the role of commodities, money, and capital in the capitalist economy, as well as the dynamics of competition, crises, and imperialism.

In addition to its economic analysis, Das Kapital also delves into broader philosophical and historical questions, exploring the relationship between economics, politics, and society. Marx examines the historical development of capitalism and its implications for class struggle and social change, ultimately advocating for the overthrow of capitalist society and the establishment of a socialist society based on common ownership of the means of production.

Despite its complexity and occasional difficulty, Das Kapital has had a profound effect on the fields of economics, sociology, and political theory. It has inspired generations of activists and revolutionaries, shaping debates on capitalism, socialism, and economics. Even today, over 150 years after its initial publication, Das Kapital remains a foundational text for those who oppose capitalist society and advocate for its overthrow.