On May 5th, 1818, Karl Marx, hero of the international proletatiat, was born. His revolution of Socialist theory reverberates throughout the world carries on to this day, in increasing magnitude. Every passing day, he is vindicated. His analysis of Capitalism, development of the theory of Scientific Socialism, and advancements on dialectics to become Dialectical Materialism, have all played a key role in the past century, and have remained ever-more relevant throughout.
He didn’t always rock his famous beard, when he was younger he was clean shaven!
Some significant works:
Economic & Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844
The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte
Critique of the Gotha Programme
Manifesto of the Communist Party (along with Engels)
And, of course, Capital Vol I-III
Interested in Marxism-Leninism, but don’t know where to start? Check out my “Read Theory, Darn it!” introductory reading list!
Gotcha, thanks for elaborating! I’d say historical evidence points to the opposite on his claims of revolution, revolutionary governments have been the only ones to manage to successfully present a meaningful alternative to Capitalism. One thing common to Western leftism is the endless search for “purity” in movements, looking at every revolutionary government from a place of brutal critique without putting themselves in the shoes of the revolutionaries. Jones Manoel’s Western Marxism Loves Purity and Martyrdom, But Not Real Revolution best explains why this is a problem so prevalent in the Western left.
The question of revolution comes relatively soon, this is one case where anti-Capitalists of all stripes are relatively aligned. Be they Anarchists or Marxists, the fundamental problem of reform is trying to overcome a system designed to uphold the present status quo by working within it. Illegal struggle will necessarily come up.
Glad to see you continuing your journey! I’m not trying to tell you what to think, by the way, just explain the Marxist perspective (specifically Marxist-Leninist). Your journey is your own.