tags : [[capitalism]] [[Capital]]
[[related notes]]
Marx certainly wasn’t the first to point out that the myths that capitalism tells are just myths
There are modern retellings and critiques of these myths as well
There are those who would consider this chapter to be an example of [[historical materialism]]
[[Nicolai Mikhailovski]] used this section well before the revolution to argue that Russia first had to move through a capitalist transition period before moving to communism.
Marx rejected Mikhailovski’s interpretation:
It is absolutely necessary for him to metamorphose my historical sketch of the genesis of capitalism in Western Europe into a historico-philosophical theory of general development, imposed by fate for all peoples, whatever the historical circumstances in which they are placed.
Marx also points out that expropriation of the peasants of ancient Rome led to slavery instead of wage labor
Cleaver draws the following conclusions from this chapter (quoted):
A corollary that can be drawn from all this, and a thread from chapter 25, is that for the vast majority of those brought into capitalism, both then and now, the poor shall be forced to remain poor. Capitalism requires this for its continued existence.
Cleaver uses this opportunity to talk about the [[Zapatista Army of National Liberation]]
Alternatives to capitalism are born out of struggle against it.
Capitalism has no creativity of its own; it simply absorbs other ways of life and incorporates them into it.
Rendering context...