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Quote by Karl Marx

Work

The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte

This work examines the political and social circumstances surrounding the coup of 18 Brumaire (December 2, 1851), in which Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon I, dissolved the French National Assembly and seized dictatorial power. The text explores the interplay of class struggles, state power, and historical repetition, famously noting that great events occur twice: first as tragedy, then as farce. It provides a critical perspective on the rise of authoritarianism within a democratic framework, focusing on the role of the peasantry, the bourgeoisie, and the proletariat in shaping political outcomes. The analysis is grounded in the specific events of mid-19th century France, offering insights into the mechanics of political manipulation and the fragility of republican institutions. more

Author

Karl Marx
Karl Marx

Karl Marx (May 5, 1818 - March 14, 1883) was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, political theorist, and revolutionary. He is one of the founders of Marxism and his works, including 'Das Kapital' and 'The Communist Manifesto', have had a profound impact on the world. more

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“Labor, being itself a commodity, is measured as such by the labor time needed to produce the labor-commodity. And what is needed to produce this labor-commodity? Just enough labor time to produce the objects indispensable to the constant maintenance of labor, that is, to keep the worker alive and in a condition to propagate his race. The natural price of labor is no other than the wage minimum.”