Marx's Revolution

Marx lived during the beginning of a new era in Europe. The old feudal regime had been replaced by a new capitalistic system which suited the needs of the growing economy better than the old system. Whereas the policy makers of the feudal era earned their privilege through lineage, capitalists, or the bourgeoisie, ruled by owning the means of production. Those left without land or money because they as serfs depended upon the feudal lord, were now forced to sell themselves in order to survive. They became wage earners known to Marx as the proletariat, who worked for the capitalists.

This is where the downward spiral of the worker began. The only way for a capitalist to turn a profit is to exploit the worker. Marx assumed that if it took one hour to make a bowl, the bowl was worth one hour of labor. In this situation the capitalist cannot make a profit if they pay the worker the actual value of their labor. This is because if the bowl is sold for the same price the worker is paid for an hour, the net profit is zero. Therefore, Marx concluded that the capitalist exploits the worker, making him or her work longer hours. These extra hours were called "surplus value". This is only possible because the worker does not own the means of production and cannot earn a living without them.

As capitalists expand their businesses they look for ways to turn an even larger profit. At this point, many capitalists decide to install labor saving machinery. However, Marx theorized that this would not add to their profits. Once other capitalists were able to update their machinery to the same level, profits would be equal in both businesses. Therefore, the only way to profit, again, was to exploit workers.

To spite this assertion, capitalists continued to install new technology. This created a low demand for labor and in turn workers lost their jobs, leaving them penniless. Profits were then kept from increasing because the workers who purchased the goods could no longer afford the product. Once no new technology could be used, capitalists began to employ workers again. This cycle is what causes the economic depression experienced approximately every 10 years in the United States. As this cycle continues, wealth of the capitalists increases each time as the workers become poorer and poorer.

Soon the workers will reach a level of starvation due to the high competition for jobs and low wages. Marx theorized that they would revolt against capitalism, just as the feudal lords had been overthrown by the bourgeoisie. They would then create a society in which the means of production were centralized. This would lead to an economic system which provided for all workers based on their need. Marx asserted that no revolt would overthrow this economic system because it provided for all and was therefore perfect.