Karl Marx is one of the most influential writers ever. His writing has not only inspired more writing, but also peoples into revolution, and the creation of socialist states all over the world.
i regard him in great esteem. i share the anguish over the unequal distribution of resources, and would love to see this problem resolved - and, like Marx, i am also sure that its resolution would lead to a more just, humane, equal world, where most of us could find peace, joy and the possibilities of realizing our potentials. Unfortunately, Marx's idea of disbanding private property did not work, and most socialist coutniters have - partially or fully, offically or unofficially - reverted to some for m of capitalism. Weber, and many others have written much about why it wasa doomed project, right from he begining (as Marx did not take power into account as a resource, and as a great influencer of socail action).
My ideas are on other counts, though. i have always questioned his economic determinism, even as a young student,and i stand by that today. dozens of writers have shown how power, religion, identity, gender and other factors can become "prime movers" of social action.
regarding his conflict theory, my point is that consensus underlies the social conflict between the opposite social groups, as all of them agree on the rules of the game. rarely, there is someone who will question this ill distribution of resources. the opposing classes conflict with each other, along rules that are tactily agreed upon, without being overtly established, discussed or transgressed.
the other point i wish to make about his theory is that private property does not seem to me to be an artificial construct. Marriage is also a form of ownership of women, and not just control over their labor and reproductive powers and sexuality. i think that just like other higher mammals, man has a biological territorial propensity. men (and women) mark things and people and spaces and ideas as their own. Such an idea of ownership probably predates history. therefore, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible to do away with private property.
