Karl Marx 
The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte 

Karl Marx’s ‘The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte’ is a seminal work that delves into the historical context of Louis Bonaparte’s rise to power in 1851 France. Written in a sharp and critical tone, Marx dissects the class struggles and political upheavals of the time, offering a Marxist analysis of the events leading to Bonaparte’s coup. The book is a prime example of Marx’s revolutionary writing style, filled with sharp observations and keen insights into the nature of political power and bourgeois society in the 19th century. This literary work is a pivotal text in the development of Marxist theory, showcasing Marx’s deep understanding of historical materialism and class conflict. Through his analysis, Marx reveals the underlying contradictions of capitalism and the recurring patterns of history that shape societal change. ‘The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte’ is a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy, history, or Marxist theory, as it offers a compelling and thought-provoking examination of power dynamics and revolutionary potential.

About the author

Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. Born in Trier to a middle-class family, Marx studied law and philosophy at the universities of Bonn and Berlin. His matriculation into the realm of social critique and revolution began in earnest with his early writings, which stemmed from his doctoral thesis on the materialist conception of history. Marx’s work in economics laid the basis for the current understanding of labor and its relation to capital, and has influenced much of subsequent economic thought. Alongside his friend and frequent collaborator, Friedrich Engels, Marx co-authored the seminal work, ‘The Manifesto of the Communist Party, ‘ laying the foundation for modern communism and socialism. In ‘The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, ‘ Marx offers a historical analysis of the events surrounding Louis Bonaparte’s coup d’état in France. This work, beyond its acute historical insight, also provides an example of Marx’s application of his theory of historical materialism, demonstrating his belief that the course of history is determined by the available modes of production and the current class struggle. The Eighteenth Brumaire is notable for its deep political analysis, crisp prose, and its famous dictum that history repeats itself, ‘the first as tragedy, then as farce.’ Marx’s contributions to political economy and political theory are monumental, and his writings continue to be pivotal for the critique of capitalist society.