Karl Marx

Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, and revolutionary, best known for his foundational theories on communism and his critique of capitalism. Born in Trier, Germany, Marx studied law and history at university, but his focus shifted toward philosophy and economics. He became a leading figure in the development of socialist thought, working closely with Friedrich Engels to write some of his most influential works.

Marx's key contributions include *The Communist Manifesto* (1848), which he co-authored with Engels, and *Das Kapital* (1867). In these works, Marx outlined his theory of historical materialism, which posits that history is driven by economic forces and class struggles. He argued that capitalism, with its inherent inequality and exploitation of the working class (the proletariat), would eventually be overthrown and replaced by socialism, leading to a classless, stateless society (communism).

Marx's ideas laid the foundation for Marxism, a political and economic theory that influenced socialist movements and revolutions around the world, particularly in the 20th century. Though his predictions did not come to fruition as he envisioned, his work remains highly influential in both political theory and economics. Marx spent much of his life in poverty and was often exiled for his radical views. He died in London in 1883.