Version vom 2. April 2025, 14:18 Uhr

0.1. Historical Thoughts on Capitalism: A Marxist Retrospective

To provide a historical overview of capitalist development, we can trace its roots to the 16th century, marked by the rise of mercenary armies. These military entities represented an early application of paid labor, transitioning society from feudalism toward capitalism. While this does not align with the classical Marxist definition of capitalism—focused on control over the means of production and capital accumulation—the adoption of paid soldiers signaled an early commodification of labor.

Mercenaries and Early Capitalist Elements

From the 16th to the 18th century, conflicts among monarchies were largely driven by territorial ambitions and dynastic succession rather than purely economic necessity. Religious motives for wars often masked underlying power struggles, as Marx described religion as "the opium of the people." Monarchs' preference for mercenaries over feudal levies highlighted the increasing division of labor and the centralization of state power. Mercenaries, as proto-proletarians, sold their labor for wages, reflecting early capitalist practices.

The Role of Colonial Ventures

Although mercenary warfare’s economic dimension was indirect, the colonial endeavors of Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Britain during the 16th century introduced capital accumulation through resource extraction and financial speculation. These ventures established global markets, expanded financial institutions, and increased dependence on monetary economies, laying the foundation for modern capitalism.

Contributions to Capitalist Structures

While mercenary armies alone do not define capitalism’s emergence, their commodification of services marked a critical transition in economic structures. The wealth generated through territorial conquest, trade monopolies, and slave economies fueled early capitalist development, bridging feudalism and emerging capitalist systems.

Marx’s Critique of Capitalism

Moving forward to 19th-century England, Karl Marx offered a comprehensive critique of capitalism. He defined the system through three key aspects: 1. **Paid labor** 2. **Ownership over the means of production** 3. **Accumulation of capital**

Marx’s theory of alienation remains relevant, highlighting how capitalism deprives workers of autonomy and disconnects them from their labor’s creative potential. He identified four dimensions of alienation: - Workers are alienated from the product of their labor. - Workers are alienated from the act of production itself. - Workers are alienated from their human essence (species-being). - Workers are alienated from other people.

While capitalism drives innovation and economic growth, Marx argued that it perpetuates systemic alienation, prioritizing profit over human well-being.

0.2 Breaking Down the Problem to Solve

The vast array of theories on capitalism often revolve around Marx’s observations, presenting counter or supportive arguments to address its negative and positive effects. Socialist theories sought to mitigate class struggle, while neoliberal concepts intensified capitalist surpluses. Attempts to implement Marxist ideas, such as those in the Soviet Union, proved unsustainable, leaving capitalism as a resilient and efficient economic system.

Validating Capitalist Principles

The efficiency of capitalism, despite its alienating effects, supports the continuation of paid labor and capital accumulation. These components provide economic stability and security. However, the persistent class struggle remains a major challenge, posing a risk of class warfare, especially in undemocratic societies. Overcoming class struggles requires one of two approaches: 1. **All capitalists become workers.** 2. **All workers become capitalists.**

Capitalists Becoming Workers

Marx’s vision in the *Communist Manifesto* proposes the elimination of private property and the establishment of a proletarian revolution. While revolutionary, this concept was shaped by the 19th century’s Zeitgeist, characterized by widespread uprisings. Historical attempts, like the Bolshevik Revolution, proved that such transitions often involve significant violence. Rejecting violent revolutions as unsustainable, a civilized solution must be sought.

Workers Becoming Capitalists

This approach assumes workers can acquire corporate shares through savings and stock exchanges, supported by banks and financial institutions. However, this scenario remains unlikely due to the dominance of paid labor and the continued role of investors as middlemen between corporations and workers. Thus, class struggle persists, and reducing the influence of investors is key to preventing uprisings and ensuring stability.

0.3. Communismus Oeconomicus: A Proposal

To address class struggle and avoid the risk of revolutions, I propose **Communismus Oeconomicus**—a system aimed at reducing the role of investors and bridging the gap between workers and corporations. By balancing the principles of paid labor, capital accumulation, and equitable economic structures, this concept seeks to maintain global stability while fostering economic fairness.

As Warren Buffett aptly stated: *“There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.”* Communismus Oeconomicus aims to counteract this dynamic, promoting a cooperative and sustainable economic model.