Karl Marx and Capitalism

Karl Marx acknowledges the positive effects of capitalism. Marx explains that the bourgeoisie has expanded into all areas of the world due to its need of a constantly expanding market for its products. This expansion of capitalism has created a competition between other countries. As a result, more and more countries are adopting the bourgeois mode of production. Marx says, “The bourgeoisie…draws all…nations into civilization. It compels all nations…to become bourgeois themselves. In one word, it creates a world after its own image” (8). This competition also explains the reason why there was a sudden increase in knowledge and inventions that help assist with the labor. Another positive thing that Marx relates with capitalism is the fact that the bourgeoisie “has created more massive and more colossal productive forces than have all preceding generations together” (9). Marx demonstrates that capitalism has lead to an increase in technology of productive forces to drive labor.
On the other hand, Karl Marx also acknowledges the negative effects of capitalism. One thing that Marx does not like about capitalism is that is leads to overproduction and this overproduction seem to destroy business. Marx writes, “The productive forces at the disposal of society no longer tend to further the development of the conditions of bourgeois property” (11). Marx also does not agree with the idea that in capitalism, the production of the workers is not equally shared between producer and consumer. Now that there are more means of production through technology and other inventions, the working class is being driven out. Marx explains, “Owing to the extensive use of machinery and to division of labour, the work of the proletarians has lost all individual character, and consequently, all charm for the workman” (12). Karl Marx’s answer to this would be for the working class to unite and drive out capitalism.