In 'Capital,' Karl Marx unveils the intricate mechanics of capitalism, revealing how it perpetuates class struggle and economic disparity. Through a meticulous exploration of labor, commodity, and value, he exposes the exploitative relationships hiding beneath the surface of wealth. With a bold critique of industrial society, Marx argues that the relentless pursuit of profit leads to societal decay and discontent. His revolutionary ideas challenge the very foundations of capitalism, prompting readers to question the status quo. Dive into this groundbreaking work that continues to influence modern economic thought and societal change.
By Karl Marx
Published: 1992
"The production of too many useful things results in too many useful people."
The first volume of a political treatise that changed the world One of the most notorious works of modern times, as well as one of the most influential, Capital is an incisive critique of private property and the social relations it generates. Living in exile in England, where this work was largely written, Marx drew on a wide-ranging knowledge of its society to support his analysis and create fresh insights. Arguing that capitalism would cause an ever-increasing division in wealth and welfare, he predicted its abolition and replacement by a system with common ownership of the means of production. Capital rapidly acquired readership among the leaders of social democratic parties, particularly in Russia in Germany, and ultimately throughout the world, to become a work described by Marx friend and collaborator Friedrich Engels as “the Bible of the working class.” For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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“The production of too many useful things results in too many useful people.”
Capital
By Karl Marx
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher, political economist, historian, sociologist, and revolutionary socialist, known for his foundational theories in communist thought. His most notable works include 'The Communist Manifesto' (1848), co-authored with Friedrich Engels, and 'Das Kapital' (1867), which critiques political economy and capitalism. Marx's writing style is characterized by rigorous analysis, passionate rhetoric, and a focus on socio-economic conditions, advocating for class struggle and the abolition of capitalism. His ideas have profoundly influenced political ideologies and movements worldwide.
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