Karl Marx : (Sociology)
Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a revolutionary philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, and political theorist. He is best known as the founder of Marxism, a theory that focuses on class struggle, capitalism, and the transition to socialism and communism. His work has shaped political thought for over a century and continues to influence global movements, academia, and economic policies.
Early Life and Education
Born: May 5, 1818, in Trier, Prussia (modern-day Germany)
Died: March 14, 1883, in London, United Kingdom
Marx came from a middle-class family. He studied law and philosophy at the universities of Bonn and Berlin. Early in life, he was influenced by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, but later developed his own materialist interpretation of history.
Theories of Karl Marx
- Historical Materialism
History is driven by material/economic conditions, not ideas.
Society develops through stages (primitive communism → slavery → feudalism → capitalism → socialism → communism).
Each stage contains internal contradictions that lead to its downfall.
- Class Struggle
Society is divided into classes based on their relation to production.
In capitalism, the bourgeoisie (owners of production) exploit the proletariat (working class).
Class conflict is the engine of social change.
- Alienation of Labor
Workers become alienated from their labor, the product, themselves, and other workers under capitalism.
They have no control over the production process and feel disconnected.
- Surplus Value and Exploitation
Capitalists make profits by paying workers less than the value of what they produce.
The difference is called surplus value, which is the source of capitalist profit.
- Ideology and False Consciousness
The ruling class controls the dominant ideas and ideology.
These ideas maintain the status quo and hide the real causes of exploitation.
- Revolution and Communism
Marx predicted that capitalism would eventually collapse due to its contradictions.
The working class would lead a revolution and establish a classless, stateless society (communism).
Major Works by Karl Marx (With Years)
Book Title Year Description
The Communist Manifesto (with Friedrich Engels) 1848 A political pamphlet calling for workers to unite and overthrow capitalism.
Das Kapital (Capital), Vol. 1 1867 An in-depth analysis of capitalism, value, surplus labor, and exploitation.
The German Ideology 1846 Discusses historical materialism and critiques idealism.
Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts 1844 Early work on alienation and human nature.
Critique of the Gotha Programme 1875 A critique of the socialist party program in Germany.
Influence of Karl Marx
Global Political Movements: Inspired revolutions in Russia, China, Cuba, and other countries.
Academic Disciplines: Influenced sociology, political science, economics, and cultural theory.
Modern Politics: Marxism remains influential in socialist, communist, and anti-capitalist movements today.
Criticism of Marxism
Critics argue Marx’s prediction of capitalism’s collapse has not come true.
Some point out that Marx underestimated the adaptability of capitalism.
Marxist regimes in history have been criticized for authoritarianism.
However, many scholars argue that Marx’s analysis of inequality, exploitation, and ideology still holds relevance in modern society.
Quick Revision: 10 Key Points on Karl Marx
- Karl Marx was born in 1818 in Germany and died in 1883 in London.
- He co-authored The Communist Manifesto with Friedrich Engels.
- He developed the theory of historical materialism.
- Marx believed class struggle drives historical change.
- Alienation occurs when workers are disconnected from their labor and its products.
- Surplus value is the unpaid labor of workers taken by capitalists as profit.
- Marx criticized the capitalist system as exploitative and unsustainable.
- He envisioned a future society based on equality, no classes, and no private property.
- His ideas inspired revolutions and the formation of socialist states in the 20th century.
- Marx remains a central figure in sociology, economics, and political theory.
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