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Karl Heinrich Marx, that’s me, the son of Heinrich Marx and Henrietta Pressburg. I was born on May 5th of 1818 in Rhine Province and died of bronchitis on March 14th of 1883 in London. I grew up in a loving household with both my parents and my eight siblings, my dad was a very successful lawyer. Both my parents had come from a long line of rabbis and were jewish, but because of my dad’s developing career, he decided to get baptised and change his faith. This led to me being baptised at the age of 6, but because I had a jewish background, I always questioned the role of religion.

I attended a strict high-school in Tier where my speech and writing was under tight control. After finishing high school, I went to the University of Bonn where I exclusively focused my studies on Law and Philosophy. During my time there, I joined a few clubs and got myself into a lot of trouble because I exerted my power of free speech. After a year of studying in Bonn, I decided to transfer to the University of Berlin which was where I finished my degree in philosophy and Law.

In 1843 I got married to the most wonderful woman named Jenny Von Westphalen. We had six children and she supported me and my crazy life adventures. A few months after getting married we moved to Paris and I became acquainted with the french communist societies and the german working men. With these two groups, I began to publish manuscripts, in my eyes they were magnificent, but in the eyes of the Prussian authorities they were horrendous. The Prussian authorities kicked me out of Paris and because of this I renounced my Prussian nationality in 1845 and moved to Brussels.

In the years I spent in Brussels, I met Frendrich Engel, who was a man that helped me immensely and with whom I published major manuscripts and a book. Alongside this development, my time in Brussels was where I refined my views and established my intellectual standing because of the confrontation I had with chief leaders of the working class. At the end of my era in Brussels my family and I moved to London, which was where we spent our last years.

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There were many influential forces and people that shaped my thinking. Some of these were;

Emmanuel Kant; he was one of the first people who inspired me. Kant came up with the theory called teleology, which is a philosophical idea where natural phenomena are explained in terms of the purpose they serve, rather than the cause by which they arise. This theory took a big part of Marxism, because teleology was the basis on which the structure of Marxism was built on.

Friedrich Hegel; He was the most influential person to my work. He came up with the theory called hegelianism, which is an intelligible process moving towards a specific condition—the realization of human freedom. I spent 6 years my life in Berlin, studying the philosophy of Hegel. It took a big part of Marxism, because Marx's theory of history is influenced greatly by Friedrich Hegel.

Ludwig Feurdbach; This man was someone I studied from. Feuerbach shaped my perception of the power laying at the hands of humanity, and not religion. Ruge and  I believed that salvation lay not in religion but in humanity. This idea was inspired by a contemporary German philosopher called Ludwig Feuerbach. Feuerbach accepted Hegel's idea of historical progress, but not in Hegel's religious terms. For Feuerbach, religion was a collective dream, "The mystery of religion is that humanity projects its existence into objectivity, then turns itself into an object of this projected image." But religion was also an essential phase in humanity's journey towards freedom.

British Political Economy; Adam Smith inspired me but I didn’t really agree with the theory of Smith and started criticizing him for only theorising on capitalist economics and not the more default economics from the “innate natural properties of human society”. As  you already know, I like criticizing popular political economists, specifically that of British Political economist’s.

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Over the years I created a lot of theories, some of my main ones were;

Labour Theory of Value

When I made the Labour Theory of value, I was trying to explain that the value of a produced good could be measured by the average number of labour hours required to produce it. There were previous economists that had established that idea, but in my point of view that wasn't enough. So I stated that it wasn’t enough for two goods to have an equivalent amount of labour, the two goods had to have the same amount of socially necessary labour. I expanded on the pre-established labour theory to critique the classical economists that stood by the free-market system.

Labour Power theory

As I was expanding on the Labour Theory of Value when I came upon this phenomenon. I thought that I could explain the value of all commodities, even the commodity that workers sell to capitalists for a wage.The power created is essentially the worker’s capacity to to produce a good or a service. I thought that the long-run wage that workers receive is established by how many hours it takes to produce someone who is fit for work.

Class Struggle

In my book, the Communist Manifesto, I expanded on the idea that Henri de Saint Simon had established. I believe that class struggle is the central fact for social evolution, without it society would be at a standstill. In my eyes, the dialectical nature of history is expressed by struggle, with the development of capitalism, it takes on an acute form.  On top of this, I believed that there were two basic classes in the work force and that they could be contrasted with the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The owners of the means of production represent the bourgeoisie and the worked represent the proletariat. In my point of view this class struggle would result in two endings, on being extremely brutal and the other being softer, but both ended with the working class taking over the owners of production.

Conflict theory

I came up with the Conflict theory on my own. My thought was that society was constantly in a state of perpetual conflict because of the competition for limited resources. In order for social order to be maintained, there has to be domination and power. In this theory I referred back to the working class and the bourgeois class as I believe that society is split between the two. On top of this split, I believe that the constant conflict that society finds itself to be is what drives change and development.

Surplus value theory

This theory was developed to attempt to explain the fact that capitalist underpaid their workers and the value they paid them was in fact less than the value their labour had added to the good. I used this theory to explain that capitalists were exploiting their workers so that they could make a profit. The extra money that was kept by the capitalists represents the surplus value.

Marx’s Theory

This theory was a culmination of the majority of the aforementioned theories. I created this theory to encompass all of the thoughts and ideals I had come up with through the years. This specific theory is a social, political, and economic theory which focuses on the struggle between capitalists and the working class. I believe that this conflict would lead to a revolution in which the working class would overthrow the capitalist class and seize control of the economy.  In this theory I also explained that there is a social conflict and that society is divided among a number of social classes. I further explained the fact that worker labour is a commodity and how the capitalists were constantly exploiting them to earn a profit. This major culminating theory was expressed and explained in my book The Communist Manifesto.

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Throughout my lifetime, I wrote many manuscripts as well as books. Some of these were written solo, while others were written with other philosophers. Writing was a large part of my life and I found great pleasure expressing my thoughts through this type of ‘art’. Although I believe all my writing was important, and had true meaning, others believe that my major publications were The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital.

The Communist Manifesto was published in the late 1848, it was co-written with Frendrich Engel.  When we wrote it, it was meant to serve as the platform for the Communist League and as a basis to the modern communist movement. When writing it, we tried to explain that capitalism would self-destruct and that it would be replaced by socialism and, when that self-destructed the final resort would be shifting into communism. We were very proud of our work, because it became recognized as the most celebrated pamphlet in the history of the socialist movement (communism).

Das Kapital was the second major publication and I published it in 1867. It was composed of III volumes although the second and third volume were published after my death. In these works, I explored my theory of the capitalistic system and how it had tendencies to self destruct. My masterpiece was referred to as the “Bible of the working class” because of the ideas that I exposed. I used this work to critique the free-market system that the traditional economists believed in and then expired the labour theory.

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Influence on Field of Economics;Marxist Economics

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Influence on Field of Economics;Marxist Economics

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Over the course of my life, one can say I had a great influence on the field of economics. From the very beginning I have seen great potential in capitalism, to me it was a progressive historical stage that would eventually stagnate due to internal contradictions, its fall would result in socialism. When explaining my work and theories,  the word capitalism refers to the private control of capital and non-labor factors, and or means of production. The capitalist market is free - everything can be traded in the market and wages always have to be paid to labourers. My ideology claimed that capital is a “social, economic relation” between only people, rather than people and things, which would lead to the deterioration of the capital.

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After moving to London with my family, I organised a British branch of the Communist League, because I was the founder of it. During the branch, one vocal and radical member of the group August Willich, a former Prussian military commander, believed that I was insufficiently revolutionary and reportedly plotted to kill me. Willich challenged me to a duel, but I refused it. This incident led to the end of the League in England.

In 1862, I wrote a letter to Engels saying, “A lousy life like this is not worth living.”I died a broken, poor man. Post death, my hurt stung when looking down at the world, I only spotted 11 people at my funeral on March 17th, 1883. Only later would I discover that my work has influenced a young Russian revolutionary V. Lenin. After reading my “Das Kapital”, Lenin declared himself a Marxist seven years after my death.

My father had befriended Ludwig von Westphalen, he was a Prussian aristocrat with some liberal leanings. He had one daughter, her name was Jenny von Westphalen. Jenny and I met when she was 5 years old and I was 1. We got married when she was 22, and at that time, men marrying older women was frowned upon at the time in Prussia.

From early 1849 until the rest of my life, I lived with my family in abject poverty. During the first year I got kicked out of my own, two-room apartment for failing to meet a deadline to pay the rent. To make it out of this situation, I had to use a fake name to hide from my creditors. Later, on some days, I wasn't allowed to leave the house because my wife Jenny had to pawn my pants to buy food. Luckily, throughout all this time, my friend and collaborator, Friedrich Engels, frequently sent me money (between 1865 and 1889, Engels sent me around 36 000$). What a great friend to have!

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Hello Mr. Marx,

I do find your communist manifesto really interesting, although I strongly disagree with it. I believe in market liberalism and the importance of individual freedom for the development of society. Your idea of communism removes a lot of individual freedom and promotes public ownership and central planning. As stated in my book, ‘The Road to Serfdom’, I believe individual freedom is what drives society. You state that you criticize the free market, which I strongly support as free markets allow prices to singal consumers. As opposed to a communistic approach where a group decides the goods and services produced, unable to truly understand all the needs of society. I believe that it is the most efficient way markets work, while maintaining individual freedom. Please read ‘The Road to Serfdom’ and ‘The Use of Knowledge in Society’ as your theories need much improvement in my opinion.

Sincerely,

Friedrich August von Hayek

Dear Mr. Hayek,

We clearly are two economists with very distinct ideas. You previously stated that you support the free market, which I find absolutely absurd. The free market system limits the power others can have on the economy, such as the government. This leads to a world that is ungoverned and anarchic. I find this to be the worst situation the universe could be in given, that it ultimately blocks the collective destiny that society is meant to achieve. This idea of a united society that I have clearly clashes with your idea that society thrives when people act as individuals. We have very different views, but I believe this is what makes us great in our own way.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx

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“10 Facts About Karl Marx.” Mental Floss, 4 May 2018, www.mentalfloss.com/article/538466/facts-about-karl-marx.

1818-1883. “Karl Marx.” Econlib, www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Marx.html.

Carter , Joe. “5 Crazy Facts about Karl Marx.” Foundation of Economic Education , 2018, fee.org/articles/5-crazy-facts-about-karl-marx/.

Chambre, Henri, and David T. McLellan. “Analysis of Society.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 24 Mar. 2020, www.britannica.com/topic/Marxism/Analysis-of-society.

Chappelow, Jim. “Conflict Theory Definition.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 16 Sept. 2020, www.investopedia.com/terms/c/conflict-theory.asp.

Chappelow, Jim. “Labor Theory Of Value Definition.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 1 Sept. 2020, www.investopedia.com/terms/l/labor-theory-of-value.asp.

Chappelow, Jim. “Marxism.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 20 Sept. 2020, www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marxism.asp.

“The Communist Manifesto.” The British Library - The British Library, www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106572.html.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Das Kapital.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 Sept. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/Das-Kapital.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Surplus Value.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 15 Nov. 2016, www.britannica.com/topic/surplus-value.

“Karl Marx.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 17 Apr. 2020, www.biography.com/scholar/karl-marx.

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Learning Academy. “Influences on Karl Marx .” Youtube , 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Cf2qQC8RM .

McLellan, David T., and Lewis S. Feuer. “Early Years in London.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 May 2020, www.britannica.com/biography/Karl-Marx/Early-years-in-London.

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Dear Mr. Marx,

Although I disagree with some of your theories I do respect your beliefs. You believe that capitalism is only necessary to embrace a classless society, which I completely disagree with. Capitalism allows for a free market, for business to allocate their scarce resources effectively, and this is much harder to do in a socialist economy. Additionally, you have failed to foresee how the government must intervene in the economy to boost and resuscitate the economy during a recession so that it doesn’t fall into a depression like in 1939.

Respectfully,
John Maynard Keynes

Dear Mr. Keynes,
I am glad you respect my beliefs, and I find your criticism against my work to be unjustified. Although you completely disagree with my support on capitalism, your opposition is weak and does not account for a lot of essential elements. Your ideas, will not flourish within majority of the future states given that your ideas would only be truly fulfilled in a state that is extremely capitalistic. This, on the other hand is not the reality, majority of the states are not as capitalistic as you wish them to be, therefore your theories won't flourish.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx

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Dear Mr Marx,
I know that you believe capitalism is the sole reason for any famine or misery, however I dare to disagree. A capitalist system is, granted, destructive and I myself have trouble completely getting behind it, however I believe it is in human nature to overpopulate and ergo, eventually reach a point of becoming unsustainable and running out of resources. This would happen long before capitalism causes poverty or famine. If wealth was distributed fairly, wouldn’t this mean that population would survive longer and be able to reproduce more? I also have trouble with supporting the Poor Law, which you seem to advocate for, as it causes complacency and laziness in the masses and workers, which we simply cannot afford.

Respectfully,
Thomas Malthus.

Dear Mr. Malthus,
I completely disagree with your previous statements, it is not in human nature to overpopulate and to reach the point of becoming unsustainable. If wealth was distributed fairly it would not lead to more reproduction it would lead to a maintained society that would not over consume and lead to an unsustainable point, like you seem to advocate for.
We have very distinct ideas and it bothers me that you cannot see how my ideas appeal to the realities that are faced in the world.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx.

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Dear Karl,

I do not agree with you. Private property of the means of production and a free market will not lead to the crisis of Anarchy. Public ownership of property is against the modern economic principles, which is quite obvious In the 21sr century - my argument can be proved by the failed attempt of the farm following the public property principle early years in America, and the consequences of the Great Leap Forward in China, and other countries that tried to do the same. The free pursuit of personal interests and the invisible hand will help the whole society to be successful, and developed.

Sincerely, Adam Smith.

Dear Mr. Smith,
Clearly you believe in the free market economy and support your thesis by undermining mine by relating it to the failure of the Great Leap Forward in China. May I need to remind you of the fact that my idea of the communistic state implemented in Maoist China, Stalinist Russia called for a centralised, command economy which allowed for the great boost of industrialisation that is inevitable of taking place in these countries. Only with such commands social, central leadership like in Russia, were they able to build up the proper military strength to overcome Nazi Germany. Therefore, I need to emphasise the fact your point is irrelevant, and your arguments cannot be supported.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx

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Dear Mr Marx,
I do not agree with you in some theories, I believe that there should be an internal and external market. My theory may be a little similar to yours that I am a supporter of taxes on wealth for the betterment of society. Labor theory of value, in which you claim that the value of a commodity can be determined by the average number of working hours required to produce it. I believe that to determine the cost of a product, you need to look at many factors, such as: the demand for the product in the market, the cost of the product, taxes and the percentage of profit for the manufacturer, and many others. The only thing where our views are radically different is that I don't support communism in any form and I think that capitalism is much better. I believe that the prosperity in which a person lives is determined by himself, it is his choice.

Sincerely, Alfred Marshall

Dear Mr. Marshall,
I completely disagree with your previous statement. Communism is much better than capitalism. In my opinion communism can build equality and good social communities. Because of the communism, there is an improvement in public health, education and provision of child care. The main difference between capitalism and communism are different focuses. Focus of capitalism is on individual and her/his own progress in life, while communism focuses on the progress of the community as a whole. Communism is much better than capitalism, and this is my point of the view.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx