Das Kapital (First Volume)

Das Kapital, Volume I, by Karl Marx, analyzes how capitalism functions by examining how goods are produced and exchanged. Marx explains that under capitalism, goods are created through labor, but workers do not own the products—they sell their labor for wages. Capitalists (owners) profit by extracting surplus value—value produced by workers beyond their wages. This process leads to economic and social tensions, including class struggle between workers and owners. Marx’s work aims to reveal the underlying mechanics of capitalism, questioning its sustainability and fairness, and laying the foundation for understanding potential shifts toward a different economic system.