Karl Marx: Life, Philosophy, and Critique of Capitalism

Early Life and Education

Karl Marx was born in 1818 in Trier, Germany. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of Bonn and later in Berlin, initially pursuing law but shifting his focus to history and philosophy. In 1843, Marx moved to Paris to edit a radical journal. There, in 1844, he met Friedrich Engels, who would become his lifelong collaborator. A year later, Marx was expelled from France and relocated to Brussels.

The Communist League and the *Communist Manifesto*

In 1847, Marx and Engels joined the secret society known as the Communist League. They were entrusted with drafting the *Manifesto of the Communist Party*, a seminal work outlining their revolutionary ideas. In 1848, Marx was expelled from Belgium and returned to France, from where he briefly entered Germany. Between 1848 and 1849, he published the *Neue Rheinische Zeitung* (New Rhenish Gazette) in Cologne.

Exile in London and *Das Kapital*

Expelled from Germany, Marx returned to Paris but was soon forced to leave again. In 1849, he moved to London, where he would reside until his death in 1883. His time in London was dedicated to an in-depth analysis of the capitalist system. This analysis culminated in his magnum opus, *Das Kapital* (*Capital*). In 1864, Marx played a key role in the founding of the International Workingmen's Association (also known as the First International).

Philosophical Influences

Marx's early philosophy was heavily influenced by G.W.F. Hegel, particularly the revolutionary Young Hegelians. To understand Marx's philosophical thought, it is crucial to consider the political conservatism of the Prussian government and the dissemination of French Enlightenment ideas in southern Germany. The 19th century was a period of revolutions, encompassing not only industrial revolutions but also anarchist, socialist, and workers' movements, alongside conservative counterrevolutions. These revolutionary outbreaks, originating primarily in France, spread throughout Europe. Philosophically, the era was marked by Romanticism, positivism, and the anti-Enlightenment movement, with Auguste Comte's positivism being particularly influential. Marx, influenced by positivism, aimed to develop a scientific theory encompassing economics, philosophy, and politics.

Key Influences on Marx's Thought

• Classical English Economists: Marx adopted the technical tools of economic analysis and the labor theory of value from economists like Adam Smith.
• Hegel: Marx retained key Hegelian concepts, such as alienation and dialectics.
• French Utopian Socialism: From thinkers like Saint-Simon, Marx incorporated socialist and revolutionary ideas into his political thought, although he criticized them for failing to fully grasp the problems of the proletariat.
• Feuerbach: Ludwig Feuerbach's *The Essence of Christianity* significantly influenced Marx's early work.

*Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy*

The text under consideration is the preface to Marx's 1859 work, *Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy*, written during his time in London, where he also wrote *Capital*. This book is not a definitive analysis of the capitalist system or a complete theory of economics or politics, but rather a contribution—a critique of the interpretation of capitalism offered by classical economists. Marx initially wrote a very long prologue but decided to replace it with this preface.

Two Stages of Marx's Work

Marx's work can be divided into two stages:

1. 1841-1848: This period was marked by intense intellectual and political activity, including his encounter with Engels, involvement with socialist and communist groups, and interactions with exiled German workers. These experiences were crucial in shaping his understanding of the need for a Communist Party. He received his doctorate in 1842 with a dissertation on *The Difference Between the Democritean and Epicurean Philosophy of Nature*. Other important works from this period include *The Holy Family*, *The Communist Manifesto*, *The German Ideology*, and *Theses on Feuerbach*.
2. 1849-1883: This stage corresponds to Marx's time in London, where he developed his analysis of the capitalist system. Key works from this period include *Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy* (1859) and *Capital*, of which only the first volume was published during his lifetime.