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The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital: Cornerstones of Marxist Thought

Hunter Mitchell

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Published in The Communist Manifesto And Das Kapital (Knickerbocker Classics)

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The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital stand as towering achievements in the realm of political and economic thought. Written by the revolutionary thinkers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, these works have had a profound impact on the course of history, shaping political movements, economic systems, and social ideologies around the world. As part of the esteemed Knickerbocker Classics collection, these seminal texts offer a comprehensive to the foundational principles of Marxism.

The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital (Knickerbocker Classics)

by Mia Heintzelman

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7595 KB
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Print length	:	232 pages
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The Communist Manifesto: A Call to Arms

Published in 1848, The Communist Manifesto is a short but powerful treatise that ignited the flames of revolution throughout Europe. It is a concise and accessible work that outlines the central tenets of communism, calling for the overthrow of the capitalist system and the establishment of a classless society.

Marx and Engels argue that capitalism is an inherently exploitative system, characterized by the ownership of the means of production by a small capitalist class and the exploitation of the vast majority of workers, or proletariat. This exploitation, they contend, leads to the impoverishment of the working class and the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few.

The Communist Manifesto concludes with the famous rallying cry: "Workers of the world, unite!" It calls upon the proletariat to rise up and seize the means of production, establishing a socialist society based on the principles of collective ownership and democratic control.

Das Kapital: A Monumental Work on Political Economy

Das Kapital, published in three volumes between 1867 and 1894, is Marx's magnum opus, a comprehensive analysis of the capitalist mode of production. It is a towering work of scholarship that delves deeply into the inner workings of the capitalist system, uncovering its fundamental contradictions and tendencies.

Marx begins Das Kapital by examining the nature of commodities and the process of their production. He argues that the value of a commodity is determined not by its utility, but by the amount of socially necessary labor time required to produce it. This concept of labor theory of value forms the foundation of Marx's economic analysis.

Marx goes on to analyze the process of capital accumulation, showing how capitalists extract surplus value from workers by paying them less than the full value of their labor. This surplus value, he argues, is the source of profit and the driving force of capitalist growth. However, Marx also demonstrates that the capitalist system contains inherent contradictions that lead to periodic crises and economic downturns.

Das Kapital is a complex and multifaceted work that has had a profound impact on economics, sociology, and political thought. It provides a rigorous critique of capitalism and offers an alternative vision of a more just and equitable society.

The Knickerbocker Classics Collection

The Knickerbocker Classics collection is a renowned series of classic works of literature, history, and philosophy. These editions are meticulously edited and annotated to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the texts. The inclusion of The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital in the Knickerbocker Classics collection reflects the importance of these works in the history of thought and their enduring relevance to contemporary debates.

The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital are essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the origins and development of Marxism. These works offer a profound analysis of the capitalist system, its inherent contradictions, and its potential for both progress and crisis. They have shaped political and economic thought for generations and continue to inspire movements for social change around the world. As part of the Knickerbocker Classics collection, The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital offer a valuable opportunity to engage with these seminal works and their enduring legacy.

The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital (Knickerbocker Classics)

by Mia Heintzelman

4.3 out of 5