Karl Marx: Is he relevant today?

“Iwant ruthless criticism of everything that exists in this world. Cruelty in two senses - criticism will not retreat from what comes out and of course it will not be afraid of the inevitable conflict with the powerful that comes from criticism.” This quote was taken from a letter written by a young man of 25 to his friend in 1843. Not only from outside but also in own thinking he followed this principle of criticism relentlessly.

History remembers him as Karl Marx (Karl Heinrich Marx). Born in Germany but expelled from various European countries he spent last 34 years of his life in London. Sitting in a library of the capital of capitalism, accompanied by poverty and sickness but attention from friends, he wrote Das Capital. Simultaneously, he maintained connection with worldwide labour movement and anti-colonial national liberation movement. The Communist Manifesto was published in 1848 keeping in mind the impending revolutionary prospects in Europe. Gradually, brutality of colonial rule and the Indian people’s desire for liberation and rebellion became a main part of his writing.

In 19th century India was the largest British colony. In June, 1853 Marx wrote how the downright lies and oppressions of bourgeoisie civilisation wears an honourable mask in its own country but becomes disrobed in colonies like India. In the very next month he wrote that the British colonialism is building a modern structure in India for its own benefit, The Indians can only gain benefit from it if they gain strength to break the yoke of colonial rule. Within a few days a tribal uprising broke out in India followed by the historic Sepoy Mutiny. European media and propaganda explained this great revolt as a heinous instance of tyranny and brutality of Indian sepoys. According to Karl Marx it was a united resistance of the Indian people for independence. After the mutiny of 1857, replacing the East India Company, the British government took over the rule of India directly in its own hand.

Marx hoped that the European Revolution of 1848 would open a new chapter as the socialist successor to the French Revolution of 1789 but situation turned different. The torch of liberation of the Paris Commune (Commune de Paris,) of 1871 quenched within 71 days. After seven decades of emergence Soviet Union, the last address of great social victory in 20th century, disappeared from the geopolitical map of the world. The Berlin Wall was demolished in 1989. Alongwith it the hope of equality and mutual cooperation gradually dwindled.

During the time of Marx branches of the tree of capitalism spread all over the world in search of profit. It is natural because the first target of capitalism is to earn profit. Precondition for that profit was production and for production worker, survival of the workers and their families were essential. In the language of economics it is known as social reproduction of labour. Today giant capital looks for profit without labour. Technology has reached such a stage that if possible, pushing aside labour, capitalism wants to complete all functions with machine, robot and artificial intelligence. It means that a large portion of human material (normally known as labour) in society is unnecessary and useless in the eyes of capitalism.

Some basic points of Marxism may be remembered. It is a political and economic theory that focuses on the struggle between the capitalist and the working class. Relationship between these two are inherently exploitative that leads to class struggle. According to Marx, there is a society with no class. Every person within the society works for a common good and class struggle is theoretically gone. Marx condemned capitalism because it alienates the masses. Workers produce things for the market but not workers, market controls everything. Marxism may be summarised as - capitalist society is divided into two classes, the bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat, h economic power control all social institutions, there is ideological control and false consciousness., communism will be acquired through revolution.

Marxism may be (and is) criticised in many ways. Marx himself also expected it. Thousands of books, reviews and criticisms have been published on Marxism all over the world. Marxian economics have been criticised for a number of reasons. Some critics aim at the Marxian analysis of capitalism while others argue that the economic system proposed by Marxism is unworkable. There are also doubt that the rate of profit in capitalism would tend to fall as Marx predicted.  Moreover, if analysed reasonably, the idea of a classless society is a utopia but beyond these Marx had clear idea about nature.

Marx wrote: “Nature is man’s inorganic body, that is to say, nature in so far as it is not the human body. Man lives from nature . . . and he must maintain a continuing dialogue with it if he is not to die.” Now we witness a totally different picture. Capitalism, which is relentlessly running after more and more profit, is engaged in devastating conflict with nature that has appeared as a threat to human existence. Nature is being destroyed indiscreetly in the craze of industrialisation, development and urbanisation. In the days of Marx and in the aftermath of World War II capitalism was accustomed to wear a mask of democracy and peace but those days are gone. Serpents are throwing poisonous breath of war. Russia - Ukraine war is its glaring example. In this difficult time that artisan of equality is required again who can protect endangered humanity and economy of aggressive profiteering. The idea of attaining a society of equality may sound utopian. Yet, fearless and ruthless criticism of what exists is a bare necessity for a direction of change. 

The writer is a former Commissioner of Taxes. He can be contacted at [email protected]