Karl Marx was a German philosopher who lived from 1818 to 1881. He is one of the main thinkers in communist political thought and established his own socialist tradition, Marxism, in his seminal work Capital.
Friedrich Engels was a writer and social scientist who lived from 1820 to 1895. He was one of Marx’s political companions and helped co-author several of his works.
The Communist Manifesto is the result of a meeting of international communists in London. It vividly portrays the first common position of political communism regarding the class struggle between the working class and the capitalist bourgeoisie.
Capital (1867) represents a groundbreaking analysis of money and its many roles at the height of the industrial revolution. By focusing on the exploitation of the working class, the text challenges traditional economic theories and frames a capitalist economy as a system inherently leading to social inequality and class struggle.
Critique of the Gotha Program is a political pamphlet written by Karl Marx in 1875. In this work, Marx criticizes the draft program of the German Workers' Party, pointing out its inconsistencies and shortcomings. He argues that the program fails to address the fundamental issues of class struggle and the transition to a communist society. Marx also discusses the concept of a "dictatorship of the proletariat" and the principle of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." The book remains a key text in Marxist literature and a source of debate on socialist theory.
The Poverty of Philosophy is a critique of the economic and philosophical arguments put forth by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. Written by Karl Marx, this book examines the flaws in Proudhon's theories and offers a defense of Marxist ideas. It delves into the concept of economic determinism and the role of class struggle in shaping society.
Readers interested in understanding Marx's critique of Proudhon and his analysis of political economy
Individuals seeking to deepen their knowledge of socialist and communist theory
Those looking for a critical examination of the limitations of capitalist economic systems
