Karl Marx was a German philosopher, economist, political theorist, and socialist revolutionary who lived from 1818 to 1883. He is known as one of the most influential figures in the history of social and political thought. Marx's ideas and writings form the foundation of Marxism, a socio-political theory that seeks to analyze and transform capitalist societies.
Marx's most famous work is "The Communist Manifesto," written in collaboration with Friedrich Engels, which outlines the principles of communism and the class struggle. According to Marx's analysis, society is divided into two primary classes: the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (the working class). He argued that capitalist societies inevitably produce social conflict between these classes due to inherent exploitation and inequality.
Marx believed that capitalism would collapse under its own contradictions, leading to a socialist revolution. In his magnum opus, "Das Kapital," he extensively analyzed the dynamics of capitalism, including labor theory of value and surplus value, arguing that the exploitation of labor is the root cause of the economic inequality inherent in the capitalist system.
Marx's ideas have had a profound impact on the development of socialist and communist movements worldwide, shaping political ideologies and policies in various countries throughout the 20th century. However, the practical implementation of Marx's ideas has also been subject to criticism and controversy. Nonetheless, his writings and theories continue to be studied and debated by scholars, sociologists, economists, and political activists, making Karl Marx one of the most influential figures in modern history.
