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Single Idea 20960

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 11. Capitalism ]

Full Idea

Marx did not disapprove per se of capitalism. New divisions of labour and forms of ownership could transform individuals in modern societies, creating a more humane world with the means capitalism had liberated from feudalism.

Gist of Idea

Marx thought capitalism was partly liberating, and could make labour and ownership more humane

Source

report of Karl Marx (works [1860]) by Andrew Bowie - Introduction to German Philosophy 11 'Metaphysics'

Book Ref

Bowie,Andrew: 'Introduction to German Philosophy' [Polity 2003], p.224


A Reaction

I'm guessing this might be early Marx, which has less to say about the 'scientific' inevitably of deep change, and the necessity for revolution. Nowadays we tinker with humane changes at the poorer end, while the rich run rampant.


The 11 ideas from 'works'

Early Marx anticipates communitarian objections to liberalism [Marx, by Oksala]
By saying the material dialectic of history aspires to the best, Marx agreed with capitalism [Weil on Marx]
False consciousness results from concealment by the superstructure [Marx, by Singer]
Marx says force is everything, and that the weak will become strong, while remaining the weak [Weil on Marx]
Marx rejected equal rights because they never actually treat people as equals [Marx, by Kymlicka]
The essence of capitalism is the subordination of people to things [Marx, by Weil]
Capitalism changes the world, by socialising the idea of a commodity [Marx, by Bowie]
Marx thought capitalism was partly liberating, and could make labour and ownership more humane [Marx, by Bowie]
Armies and businesses create moralities in which their activity can do no wrong [Marx, by Weil]
Liberal freedom is the right to be separate, and ignores the union of man with man [Marx]
Liberals want the right to be separate, rather than for people to be united [Marx]