The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (ePub)

Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. Born in Trier to a middle-class family, Marx studied law and philosophy at the universities of Bonn and Berlin. His matriculation into the realm of social critique and revolution began in earnest with his early writings, which stemmed from his doctoral thesis on the materialist conception of history. Marx's work in economics laid the basis for the current understanding of labor and its relation to capital, and has influenced much of subsequent economic thought. Alongside his friend and frequent collaborator, Friedrich Engels, Marx co-authored the seminal work, 'The Manifesto of the Communist Party,' laying the foundation for modern communism and socialism. In 'The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte,' Marx offers a historical analysis of the events surrounding Louis Bonaparte's coup d'état in France. This work, beyond its acute historical insight, also provides an example of Marx's application of his theory of historical materialism, demonstrating his belief that the course of history is determined by the available modes of production and the current class struggle. The Eighteenth Brumaire is notable for its deep political analysis, crisp prose, and its famous dictum that history repeats itself, 'the first as tragedy, then as farce.' Marx's contributions to political economy and political theory are monumental, and his writings continue to be pivotal for the critique of capitalist society.