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Karl Marx

➢ Karl Marx was a hugely influential 19th-century thinker who worked across many
fields including philosophy, economics, and history. He's most famous for his ideas
about society and economics, particularly his critique of capitalism and his advocacy
for communism.
▪ Karl Marx, born on May 5, 1818, in Trier, Germany, was a philosopher, economist,
historian, and revolutionary socialist who left an indelible mark on the world. His
life unfolded against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, a period of immense
social and economic change. Witnessing the harsh realities of factory life and the
plight of the working class, Marx became a vocal critic of capitalism. Marx's
education began at the University of Bonn and continued at the University of Berlin,
where he immersed himself in philosophy, particularly the works of Georg Wilhelm
Friedrich Hegel. However, Marx soon found Hegel's ideas too idealistic and began
to develop his own theories that emphasized materialism and historical change. As
a young man, Marx embraced journalism and political activism. His writings, often
critical of the Prussian government, led to censorship and expulsion from various
European countries. It was during this time, in Paris in 1844, that Marx met
Friedrich Engels, a lifelong friend and collaborator who would become a crucial
influence on his work. Together, Marx and Engels co-authored "The Communist
Manifesto" in 1848. This short but influential pamphlet outlined the core principles
of communism, a system that aimed to create a classless society where the means
of production were controlled by the working class themselves. They argued that
capitalism was inherently exploitative and destined for collapse. Marx's most
ambitious work, "Das Kapital," was published in installments between 1867 and
1894. This multi-volume treatise delved into a detailed analysis of capitalism,
dissecting its inner workings and highlighting its flaws. Marx believed capitalism
inevitably led to worker exploitation and economic crises. Despite facing poverty
and exile throughout his life, Marx remained dedicated to his revolutionary ideals.
He co-founded the International Working Men's Association, known as the First
International, which aimed to unite workers across the globe. Karl Marx died in
London on March 14, 1883. While his communist vision hasn't been fully realized,
his ideas have inspired countless revolutions, socialist movements, and continue to
be debated and studied today. Marx remains a controversial figure, lauded by some
as a champion of the working class and criticized by others for the unintended
consequences of his theories.

Name: Shakara Jahan Samanta

Id: 2232960648
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➢ Karl Marx's main contributions to social science

Karl Marx left an indelible mark on social science with his groundbreaking
contributions. Despite facing personal struggles, Marx's insights into society and
economics have shaped our understanding of modern civilization. Here are his main
contributions:
▪ Historical Materialism: Marx developed the theory of historical materialism,
which proposes that the driving force of history is the conflict between
different social classes and their struggle over control of the means of
production. He argued that changes in the mode of production shape societal
structures, institutions, and ideologies.

▪ Critique of Capitalism: Marx's analysis of capitalism in works like "Das

Kapital" provided a comprehensive critique of the capitalist system,
highlighting its inherent contradictions, exploitation of labor, and tendency
towards crises. His insights into the dynamics of capitalism remain influential
in understanding modern economic systems.

▪ Class Struggle: Marx emphasized the centrality of class struggle in shaping

societies. He argued that throughout history, societies have been divided into
classes with conflicting interests, particularly between the bourgeoisie
(owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (workers). Marx
believed that this struggle would eventually lead to the overthrow of capitalism
by the working class.

▪ Theory of Alienation: Marx articulated the concept of alienation, which refers

to the estrangement of individuals from the products of their labor, the labor
process itself, and from each other in capitalist societies. He analyzed how
capitalism alienates workers from the fruits of their labor, leading to feelings
of powerlessness and alienation.

▪ Ideological Critique: Marx examined the role of ideology in maintaining social

inequality and perpetuating the interests of the ruling class. He argued that
dominant ideologies, such as religion and political theory, serve to justify the
existing social order and obscure class contradictions.

While some aspects of Marx's theories haven't been fully supported, his work on class
conflict and historical materialism provided a powerful new lens for analyzing social
structures and power dynamics. Overall, Karl Marx's contributions to social science
revolutionized our understanding of society, economics, and politics. His theories
continue to be influential in various fields, shaping debates on issues such as inequality,
exploitation, and the dynamics of social change.

Name: Shakara Jahan Samanta

Id: 2232960648
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Name: Shakara Jahan Samanta

Id: 2232960648