Karl Marx still relevant 125 years after his death, study finds

BERLIN (Deutsche Welle) - Friday, March 14, marked the 125th anniversary of the death of German philosopher and political economist Karl Marx. Marx is still regarded as hugely influential to the development of 20th century thought.

While there has been a substantial revival of interest in his theories since the end of the Cold War, mainly those which deal with the volatility and shape of capitalism, the question remains as to whether a man who died 125 years ago still has any relevance today...

[Susan]

As long as capitalism exist, the world needs Marx.

[Raymond]

Susan wrote:

As long as capitalism exist, the world needs Marx.

Agreed

[Arindam]

Susan wrote:

As long as capitalism exist, the world needs Marx.

Marx is the most famous critic of capitalism - but not in my opinion, the best. The anarchist critiques which:

1) Began prior to Marx - notably with Proudhon - "Property is theft"

2) Were philosophically more profound than his - Stirner "The Ego and his Own"

3) Were less naive regarding the nature of religion and government - Bakunin "God and the State'

4) And showed greater understanding of human nature - Kropotkin "Mutual Aid"

are still ignored.

The world doesn't need Marx; if anything, were his intellectual presence removed, other, finer critiques of capitalism would get more prominence.

[Dee]

Marxism worked so well - one only need look at all those wealthy Marxist countries with their contented populations to see that!

Marx was a bitter man who hated everyone - he saw classes of people - the 'bourgeois', the 'proletarian' etc. instead of individual human beings. He was envious of the success of others and two of his own daughters committed suicide (partly because of his interference in their lives).

He had no interest in individual human beings because he had no empathy or sympathy with them and no understanding of human nature - which is the reason his ideas failed so miserably when put into practice.

"The workingmen have no country, we cannot take from them what they haven't got" - that statement is so far from reality, you have to wonder if he actually asked any 'workingman' for his views.

The world needs Marx like a hole in the head.

[LastBaron]

Dee wrote:

Marxism worked so well - one only need look at all those wealthy Marxist countries with their contented populations to see that!
Marx was a bitter man who hated everyone - he saw classes of people - the 'bourgeois', the 'proletarian' etc. instead of individual human beings. He was envious of the success of others and two of his own daughters committed suicide (partly because of his interference in their lives).
He had no interest in individual human beings because he had no empathy or sympathy with them and no understanding of human nature - which is the reason his ideas failed so miserably when put into practice.
"The workingmen have no country, we cannot take from them what they haven't got" - that statement is so far from reality, you have to wonder if he actually asked any 'workingman' for his views.
The world needs Marx like a hole in the head.

Do you inhale when you smoke that weed?

Marx's views remain fascinating to this day. Much of what he said is so appropriate, it hurts. Take, for example, religion. As witnessed by the appearance of "Bushistas" in the United States, one can whole-heartedly agree with the Marxist viewpoint that religion is "the opiate of the masses."

I would suggest you do some further reading on Marx before you discard him. True, their are no "Marxist nations" around, but then again, there never have been any that followed his true example. Instead, there have been a handful of poor states who called themselves Marxist, only in a futile attempt to postulate themselves as "better than" Leninist, Communist, or Bolshevik, all three systems which were NOT based on Marxism and failed.

[William Shakespeare]

Dee wrote:

Marxism worked so well - one only need look at all those wealthy Marxist countries with their contented populations to see that!
Marx was a bitter man who hated everyone - he saw classes of people - the 'bourgeois', the 'proletarian' etc. instead of individual human beings. He was envious of the success of others and two of his own daughters committed suicide (partly because of his interference in their lives).
He had no interest in individual human beings because he had no empathy or sympathy with them and no understanding of human nature - which is the reason his ideas failed so miserably when put into practice.
"The workingmen have no country, we cannot take from them what they haven't got" - that statement is so far from reality, you have to wonder if he actually asked any 'workingman' for his views.
The world needs Marx like a hole in the head.

Ah you knew him well then did you? You must be very old by now!

[New Yorker]

He was a smart guy who had a good idea that those in power took advantage of...shame

[William Shakespeare]

He's buried in high gate cemetary in London.

[karlsbruva]

Marxism is communism, Communism is that good even russia abndoned it. Anyone can come up with a political THEORY its the practice part that usually doesnt work. Capitalism and communism are the same thing in theory. One has private companies controlling industries, the other has the government controlling industries. BOTH cant combat corruption, people will be people.

[LastBaron]

karlsbruva wrote:

Marxism is communism, Communism is that good even russia abndoned it. Anyone can come up with a political THEORY its the practice part that usually doesnt work. Capitalism and communism are the same thing in theory. One has private companies controlling industries, the other has the government controlling industries. BOTH cant combat corruption, people will be people.

Marxism is (emphatically!) NOT the same thing as Communism. Communism is based on ideas based in thinking of Lenin, Engels, the Bolsheviks and others, and all together is quite far off the mark of Marx's doctrines.

You may want to read a few of the treatises and writings before you go off "half-cocked" again...

[Dee]

LastBaron wrote:

<quoted text>
Do you inhale when you smoke that weed?
Marx's views remain fascinating to this day. Much of what he said is so appropriate, it hurts. Take, for example, religion. As witnessed by the appearance of "Bushistas" in the United States, one can whole-heartedly agree with the Marxist viewpoint that religion is "the opiate of the masses."
I would suggest you do some further reading on Marx before you discard him. True, their are no "Marxist nations" around, but then again, there never have been any that followed his true example. Instead, there have been a handful of poor states who called themselves Marxist, only in a futile attempt to postulate themselves as "better than" Leninist, Communist, or Bolshevik, all three systems which were NOT based on Marxism and failed.

"Do you inhale when you smoke that weed?"

Are you yet another dickhead who makes stupid comments about people who don't agree with your opinion? Obviously, the answer is 'yes'.

"one can whole-heartedly agree with the Marxist viewpoint that religion is "the opiate of the masses."

I have never agreed that religion is the opium of the masses and I wonder what right you have to judge everyone who has a religious belief by George Bush? Marxism itself is a religion - if you don't believe it, try arguing with a convinced Marxist - you can find one or more in most universities, usually at professor level.

"there never have been any that followed his true example."

Because his ideas are unworkable due to his complete ignorance of human nature and his refusal to admit that all people are not equal, in ability, intelligence or anything else.

[Dee]

William Shakespeare wrote:

<quoted text>
Ah you knew him well then did you? You must be very old by now!

No, I read about his life in several books - why don't you try it?

[Bozo]

William Shakespeare wrote:

<quoted text>
Ah you knew him well then did you? You must be very old by now!

Dear guests, The person from Australia posting those thoughtless statements reg Karl Marx and his contribution to philosophy and economy is a well known "nationalist fruit cake" on Croatia Forum.

She ( it is a woman) has close links to the extreme pro-Nazi Croatian diaspora in so called Punchbowl Ustasa Club (ustashas - fascist genocidal movement during WWII lead by Hitler's lackey Ante Pavelic).

Funnily enough she cannot speak or write in Serbocroatian because she is of.... a Czech origin.

Her incompetence reg Karla Marx isues matches her
total ignorance about the post-Dayton reality in the Balkan states (former Yugoslavia).

Ignoring her post is the best way to maintain intellectual and moral standards of this interesting and timely thread.
Regards,
Bozo

[Dee]

Bozo wrote:

<quoted text>
Dear guests, The person from Australia posting those thoughtless statements reg Karl Marx and his contribution to philosophy and economy is a well known "nationalist fruit cake" on Croatia Forum.
She ( it is a woman) has close links to the extreme pro-Nazi Croatian diaspora in so called Punchbowl Ustasa Club (ustashas - fascist genocidal movement during WWII lead by Hitler's lackey Ante Pavelic).
Funnily enough she cannot speak or write in Serbocroatian because she is of.... a Czech origin.
Her incompetence reg Karla Marx isues matches her
total ignorance about the post-Dayton reality in the Balkan states (former Yugoslavia).
Ignoring her post is the best way to maintain intellectual and moral standards of this interesting and timely thread.
Regards,
Bozo

The idiot who posted this has chosen a very good name - BOZO - perfect.

1. I am an Australian, not a dumbass Yugoslav. I have never posted on any forum concerned with Croatia, in fact my level of concern for Croatia is non-existent. Ustasha - didn't the govt, clean out this trash long ago?

2. Ha - Punchbowl! A sh*thole suburb of Sydney, home of stupid migrants still reliving old wars.

way to go - make idiot accusations rather than a rational defence of your hero Karl.

"Czech origin."

You poor dumb fuckwit. No wonder you admire Karl so much.

[Bozo]

Dee wrote:

<quoted text>
The idiot who posted this has chosen a very good name - BOZO - perfect.
1. I am an Australian, not a dumbass Yugoslav. I have never posted on any forum concerned with Croatia, in fact my level of concern for Croatia is non-existent. Ustasha - didn't the govt, clean out this trash long ago?
2. Ha - Punchbowl! A sh*thole suburb of Sydney, home of stupid migrants still reliving old wars.
way to go - make idiot accusations rather than a rational defence of your hero Karl.
"Czech origin."
You poor dumb fuckwit. No wonder you admire Karl so much.

Dear(expansive) Australian friend,
I will not stoop to your level of debating.
If you are not the person in question forgive me and get on with your capitalist way of life.
I do not recall posting any pro Karl Marx comments.

Commercial greetings,
Bozidar

PS
There will be numerous Jesus Christ's Resurrection Sales in the City (I recommend David Jones).
Do not miss hot bargains.

[Dee]

Bozo wrote:

<quoted text>
Dear(expansive) Australian friend,
I will not stoop to your level of debating.
If you are not the person in question forgive me and get on with your capitalist way of life.
I do not recall posting any pro Karl Marx comments.
Commercial greetings,
Bozidar
PS
There will be numerous Jesus Christ's Resurrection Sales in the City (I recommend David Jones).
Do not miss hot bargains.

You do not 'debate'- you post moronic insults.

"If you are not the person in question forgive me"

No, I'm not the person in question - maybe you should double check before you post.

"and get on with your capitalist way of life."

I will - plasma tv, swimming pool and all.

[Bob Burns]

Yeah, he's relevant all right! As a good example of what NOT to do again. Ask anyone who's had the unfortunate experience of living under his foolishness, like here in China. We were headed into the toilet as fast as a rock dropped off a bridge. Thankfully his polar opposite, Adam Smith, came to the rescue, now we're soaring high. The only people who think he's other than a nutcase, are those who never had to live out his balmy theories, the loony liberal lefties, clutching the rotting corpse of socialism. Try it, you'll choke on it

[LastBaron]

Dee wrote:

<quoted text>
"Do you inhale when you smoke that weed?"
Are you yet another dickhead who makes stupid comments about people who don't agree with your opinion? Obviously, the answer is 'yes'.
"one can whole-heartedly agree with the Marxist viewpoint that religion is "the opiate of the masses."
I have never agreed that religion is the opium of the masses and I wonder what right you have to judge everyone who has a religious belief by George Bush? Marxism itself is a religion - if you don't believe it, try arguing with a convinced Marxist - you can find one or more in most universities, usually at professor level.
"there never have been any that followed his true example."
Because his ideas are unworkable due to his complete ignorance of human nature and his refusal to admit that all people are not equal, in ability, intelligence or anything else.

Oh, please. Go read him again and spare us your whining. He at no point, anywhere, says that all humans are created equal. You seem to be confusing the U.S. Constitution (by Jefferson & Co.) with his works. What he did say, however, does apply to you: "A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing." Of course, he was only repeating the words of another German philosopher when he said that. Know whom I mean?

[LastBaron]

Bob Burns wrote:

Yeah, he's relevant all right! As a good example of what NOT to do again. Ask anyone who's had the unfortunate experience of living under his foolishness, like here in China. We were headed into the toilet as fast as a rock dropped off a bridge. Thankfully his polar opposite, Adam Smith, came to the rescue, now we're soaring high. The only people who think he's other than a nutcase, are those who never had to live out his balmy theories, the loony liberal lefties, clutching the rotting corpse of socialism. Try it, you'll choke on it

Again, a lot of the opeople here seem to be reading-impaired. Marxism is not Communism - never has been, was never proposed to be. If you have not actually read Marx's works, you should shut up and go away. Some of us have spent years exploring philosophers such as Marx, Hegel, Nietzsche, Kant and others and know what they wrote and said. And they did (emphatically) not write or say what your grammar school rightwing neo-con teachers and your arch-conservative, retarded parents told you.

[LastBaron]

Dee wrote:

<quoted text>
The idiot who posted this has chosen a very good name - BOZO - perfect.
1. I am an Australian, not a dumbass Yugoslav. I have never posted on any forum concerned with Croatia, in fact my level of concern for Croatia is non-existent. Ustasha - didn't the govt, clean out this trash long ago?
2. Ha - Punchbowl! A sh*thole suburb of Sydney, home of stupid migrants still reliving old wars.
way to go - make idiot accusations rather than a rational defence of your hero Karl.
"Czech origin."
You poor dumb fuckwit. No wonder you admire Karl so much.

Boy, you sure do like "not stooping." Can you sink any lower, you Ozzie witch?