Repeating Marx: Introduction to the Special Issue “Karl Marx @ 200: Debating Capitalism & Perspectives for the Future of Radical Theory”

Christian Fuchs; Lara Monticelli

doi:10.31269/triplec.v16i2.1037

Christian Fuchs University of Westminster, Communication and Media Research Institute & Westminster Institute for Advanced Studies
Lara Monticelli

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31269/triplec.v16i2.1037

Keywords: Karl Marx, capitalism, class, bicentenary, 200th anniversary, 5 May 2018, 1818

Abstract

This introduction sets out the context of the special issue “Karl Marx @ 200: Debating Capitalism & Perspectives for the Future of Radical Theory”, which was published on the occasion of Marx’s bicentenary on 5 May 2018. First, we give a brief overview of contemporary capitalism’s development and its crises. Second, we argue that it is important to repeat Marx today. Third, we reflect on lessons learned from 200 years of struggles for alternatives to capitalism. Fourth, we give an overview of the contributions in this special issue. Taken together, the contributions in this special issue show that Marx’s theory and politics remain key inspirations for understanding exploitation and domination in 21st-century society and for struggles that aim to overcome these phenomena and establishing a just and fair society. We need to repeat Marx today.

Author Biographies

Christian Fuchs, University of Westminster, Communication and Media Research Institute & Westminster Institute for Advanced Studies

Christian Fuchs is a professor at the University of Westminster. He is co-editor of tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique. His research interests are: critical theory, social theory, political economy of media and communication, critical digital media studies.
URL: http://fuchs.uti.at, Twitter @fuchschristian

Lara Monticelli

Lara Monticelli is an independent researcher and prospective Assistant Professor and Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow at the Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy at Copenhagen Business School (from September 2018 onwards). She is the co-founder of the newly established research network “Alternatives to Capitalism” within the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE).