Das Kapital – Karl Marx
1. Full Citation
Marx, K. (1867, translated 1887) Das Kapital: Critique of Political Economy. Translated by Samuel Moore and Edward Aveling. New York: International Publishers.
2. Introduction
Das Kapital is Karl Marx’s seminal critique of capitalist economics, exploring the dynamics of capital accumulation, labour exploitation, and class struggle. First published in 1867, the work offers a foundational analysis of capitalism’s internal contradictions and its socio-economic impacts. Marx’s detailed dissection of commodity production, surplus value, and capital flows has profoundly influenced economic thought, political theory, and social movements worldwide.
3. Author Background and Credentials
Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a German philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist. His interdisciplinary work bridged philosophy, economics, and political activism. Marx’s theories laid the groundwork for Marxist economics and inspired numerous political ideologies and movements.
4. Summary of Contents
The three volumes, published over decades (some posthumously), cover:
- Capitalist Production
- Analysis of commodities, value, labour, and the extraction of surplus value.
- The Circulation of Capital
- Explores how capital circulates through production and exchange, highlighting capitalist cycles.
- The Process of Capitalist Production as a Whole
- Examines accumulation, crisis tendencies, and class relations.
5. Critical Evaluation
a. Coherence and Argumentation
Marx presents a comprehensive, dialectical critique of capitalism, interweaving economic analysis with historical materialism.
b. Originality and Intellectual Contribution
The work was revolutionary, challenging classical economics and introducing concepts like alienation and exploitation.
c. Evidence, Sources, and Method
Marx uses empirical observations, historical data, and philosophical methods to develop his critique.
d. Style and Accessibility
The dense, complex prose and dialectical method make it challenging, often requiring guided study.
e. Limitations and Critiques
Critics question Marx’s predictions and methodology; debates over his economic conclusions persist.
6. Comparative Context
Compared with:
- Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations – Smith champions capitalism; Marx critiques it
- Keynes’s General Theory – Keynes seeks reform within capitalism; Marx advocates systemic change
- Hayek’s Road to Serfdom – Both warn of different authoritarian risks tied to economic systems
7. Thematic or Disciplinary Relevance
Central to:
- Political economy and critical theory
- Economic history and sociology
- Class analysis and labour studies
- Philosophy of economics
8. Reflection or Practical Application
Marx’s analysis informs debates on capitalism’s sustainability, social justice, and economic inequality.
9. Conclusion
Das Kapital is a foundational, though challenging, critique of capitalist economics, essential for understanding economic theory, history, and political ideology.
Recommended for: Economists, political theorists, sociologists, and students of Marxist thought.
10. Other Works by the Same Author
- The Communist Manifesto (1848, with Friedrich Engels)
- Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844
- Grundrisse (1857–58)
11. Similar Books by Other Authors
- Rosa Luxemburg – The Accumulation of Capital
- Antonio Gramsci – Prison Notebooks
- David Harvey – A Companion to Marx’s Capital
- Thomas Piketty – Capital in the Twenty-First Century
12. References (only if external works are cited)
- Marx, K. (1867) Das Kapital
- Harvey, D. (2010) A Companion to Marx’s Capital
- Piketty, T. (2013) Capital in the Twenty-First Century