Revisiting Marx: Analyzing His Influence on Modern Economic and Political Thought

Introduction

The works of Karl Marx have profoundly shaped economic and political thought since the 19th century. His theories, particularly those concerning capitalism, class struggle, and historical materialism, continue to resonate in contemporary discourse. This paper aims to explore Marx’s influence on modern economic and political thought, examining how his ideas have been adapted, criticized, and reinterpreted in light of current socio-economic conditions. By analyzing the relevance of Marx’s theories in today’s context, this report seeks to illuminate the enduring legacy of his work and its implications for contemporary debates surrounding capitalism, inequality, and social justice.

Main Body

Marx’s critique of capitalism, as articulated in “The Communist Manifesto” and “Das Kapital,” remains a cornerstone of economic theory. Central to Marx’s analysis is the concept of surplus value, which posits that labor is the source of all value in a capitalist system, while capitalists appropriate the surplus produced by laborers. This notion has been influential in contemporary critiques of capitalism, particularly in discussions surrounding income inequality and labor rights.