Changes

[[Capitalism]], according to Marx, is just one system in a long series of [[economic systems]] in the world. He held that [[capitalist society]] had strong internal inherent tensions. In the development of capitalism, [[capital]] (money) would be increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few people. <ref>See his "Law of the Centralization of Capital". []</ref> The difference in income between the poorest and richest would always increase. Through economic crises, the poor laborers would start to believe that the system would always be disadvantageous to them.

[[Capitalism]], according to Marx, is just one system in a long series of [[economic systems]] in the world. He held that [[capitalist society]] had strong internal inherent tensions. In the development of capitalism, [[capital]] (money) would be increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few people. <ref>See his "Law of the Centralization of Capital". []</ref> The difference in income between the poorest and richest would always increase. Through economic crises, the poor laborers would start to believe that the system would always be disadvantageous to them.

''Das Kapital'' ('' The Capital'') seeks to demonstrate that the bourgeoisie make [[profit]]s by [[exploitation]] of the proletariat.  The exploitation arises where the value of the goods produced by workers is much more than the wages paid, and this "[[surplus value]]" is stolen from workers by owners. Marx sought to show that the competition amongst the bourgeoisie forced them to exploit their workers as much as possible. If an individual bourgeois refused to continue the "exploitation" he would soon be forced into [[bankruptcy]] or be taken over by someone who would.  The result is a relentless increase in the misery of the proletariat who, eventually, would rebel and replace the existing capitalist system with a [[socialist]]/communist system.  

''Das Kapital'' (''Capital'') seeks to demonstrate that the bourgeoisie make [[profit]]s by [[exploitation]] of the proletariat.  The exploitation arises where the value of the goods produced by workers is much more than the wages paid, and this "[[surplus value]]" is stolen from workers by owners. Marx sought to show that the competition amongst the bourgeoisie forced them to exploit their workers as much as possible. If an individual bourgeois refused to continue the "exploitation" he would soon be forced into [[bankruptcy]] or be taken over by someone who would.  The result is a relentless increase in the misery of the proletariat who, eventually, would rebel and replace the existing capitalist system with a [[socialist]]/communist system.  

However, in his major works, Marx himself could not tell if this would make an end to the capitalist system: he knew there are too many factors in history to make a prediction possible. He did not have a clear idea about what the next stage after capitalism would be either. The increasing concentration, he thought, would facilitate a [[communist]] system. In that system, however, man also would have to eliminate his alienation. One possibility, which Marx put forward, was complete mechanization of production, so that any man could do any job<ref>Marx, K. Foundations of the Critique of Political Economy, [[Berlin]]</ref>.

However, in his major works, Marx himself could not tell if this would make an end to the capitalist system: he knew there are too many factors in history to make a prediction possible. He did not have a clear idea about what the next stage after capitalism would be either. The increasing concentration, he thought, would facilitate a [[communist]] system. In that system, however, man also would have to eliminate his alienation. One possibility, which Marx put forward, was complete mechanization of production, so that any man could do any job<ref>Marx, K. Foundations of the Critique of Political Economy, [[Berlin]]</ref>.