Karl Marx is best known for his Marxist analysis of society and his critique of capitalist structures. The term 'Marxist' reflects his theories on class struggle and historical materialism.

The Communist Manifesto, written by Marx and Engels, lays out the fundamental ideas of Marxism and critiques capitalist society. It remains one of the most influential political texts in history.

Karl Marx was born in 1818 and did most of his work during the 19th century. This period was pivotal for the development of industrial capitalism, which influenced his theories.

Marx used the term 'proletariat' to refer to the working class who are exploited by the capitalist class (bourgeoisie). This concept is key to his critique of capitalist economics.

Marx argued that the constant conflict between social classes, known as class struggle, is the engine of historical change. This idea forms the foundation of his theory of historical materialism.

Historical materialism is Marx's framework that emphasizes economic conditions and class struggle as the primary drivers of historical development. It shifts focus from individual heroes to material conditions.

Marx's concept of alienation describes how workers become estranged from the products they create because they do not have control over the production process. This separation leads to a sense of powerlessness and dehumanization.

Marx argued that capitalism naturally leads to a concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, which in turn creates social tensions. These tensions eventually culminate in a revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist system.

Das Kapital is Karl Marx's detailed analysis of the capitalist system, where he examines the dynamics of production, surplus value, and exploitation. It offers an in”depth critical perspective on capitalism.

Marx believed that ideology is used by the ruling class to create a false consciousness among the working class. This masks the real conditions of exploitation and helps sustain the existing power structures.

Marx's central analysis of capitalist society revolves around the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Class conflict is seen as the driving force behind historical change and social transformation.

Marx focused on the exploitative relationship between those who own the means of production and the laborers who create value. This relationship is a key aspect of his critique of capitalist economics.

Marx argued that the state is not a neutral institution but rather an instrument for the ruling class, the bourgeoisie, to maintain its power. It supports the economic structure that benefits the dominant class.

'Surplus value' is a fundamental concept in Marxist theory that refers to the excess value produced by workers which is appropriated by capitalists as profit. It highlights the exploitative nature of capitalist production.

Marx asserted that all value is created by labor, and it is the exploitation of this labor that produces surplus value for the capitalist class. This principle is central to his critique of how capitalism functions.

Marx's concept of base and superstructure posits that the economic base, or the mode of production, fundamentally shapes all other aspects of society such as politics, law, and culture. The superstructure then serves to legitimize and preserve the economic base.

Dialectical materialism is Marx's approach to understanding social and historical change through the conflict and resolution of contradictions within material conditions. It emphasizes a dynamic and interconnected process rather than a linear progression.

Marx argued that capitalism is inherently contradictory because it relies on collective, socialized labor to produce goods while ensuring that only a small segment, the capitalists, privately appropriate the resulting surplus value. This contradiction is central to his critique of the system.

Marx observed that technological advancements under capitalism often lead to increased productivity; however, they also serve to concentrate power in the hands of capitalists and can exacerbate worker alienation. This dynamic intensifies the exploitation inherent in the capitalist system.

Marx believed that the cumulative tensions and contradictions of capitalist society would make revolution an inevitable outcome. This revolution is seen as a necessary mechanism to dismantle oppressive structures and pave the way for a classless society.