Behind the News: Revisiting Marx's Capital w/ Paul North & Paul Reitter
Oct 17, 2024
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Paul North and Paul Reitter, professors and translators, discuss their new, accessible version of Marx's Capital, emphasizing the intricacies of translating complex German philosophy. They explore Marx's enduring relevance in today's socio-political landscape. Nimrod Flaschenberg and Alma Itzhaky examine the tumultuous political climate in Israel post-October 7, addressing the rise of militarization and the dehumanization of Palestinians. They advocate for meaningful engagement to find a path toward coexistence amidst growing extremism and media influence.
The new translation of Marx's Capital offers a contemporary interpretation that incorporates 25 years of insights, enhancing accessibility to modern readers.
The translators emphasize the importance of critical annotations to navigate Marx's complex prose and clarify his dense economic arguments.
Deep dives
The Need for a New Translation of Marx's Capital
A new translation of Marx's Capital reflects the evolving understanding of the text and its relevance in contemporary discussions. Previous translations have aged, reflecting the interpretations of their times, whereas this current edition incorporates insights from the last 25 years. Given that Marx's work covers intricate concepts of value and capitalism, the translators aimed to capture the diverse styles and critical nuances present in his writing. This new version facilitates a deeper engagement with Marx's ideas, making them more accessible to modern audiences.
Challenges in Translating Marx's Text
Translating Capital involves navigating the complexities of its multiple editions and the evolving nature of Marx's thought. The selected edition for this translation is the 1872 version, the last overseen by Marx himself, which allows for faithful representation of his arguments. However, the absence of a single authoritative text presents challenges, as Marx continuously revised his work based on evolving ideas and external critiques. The translators also highlight the importance of critical annotations to clarify Marx's dense arguments for readers unfamiliar with his framework.
Contextualizing Capital in Today's Political Landscape
The new translation addresses the changes in the political landscape over the past century, particularly in the context of modern capitalism. It highlights that classical definitions of capitalism and economic roles have transformed, necessitating a fresh interpretative approach. The text elucidates that capitalists are not merely villains but are instead functions within the larger capitalist system, reflecting a more nuanced understanding of their role in perpetuating exploitation. This perspective encourages readers to scrutinize the underlying mechanisms of capitalism rather than solely focusing on individual actors.
The Stylistic Evolution of Marx's Prose
Marx's unique prose style presents specific challenges in translation that demand a careful balance between fidelity and readability. The translators aim to preserve the dynamic rhythm and emotional weight found in the original German text while making it accessible to contemporary readers. By incorporating a variety of sentence structures and adjusting tones, the translation endeavors to capture Marx's critique of capitalism's emotional and ethical implications. This approach highlights Marx's interdisciplinary influences and aims to present his ideas in a way that resonates with modern audiences.
Paul North and Paul Reitter discuss their new translation of Marx’s Capital. Nimrod Flaschenberg and Alma Itzhaky, authors of a recent article for Jacobin, talk about the vicious political culture of Israel after October 7.
Behind the News, hosted by Doug Henwood, covers the worlds of economics and politics and their complex interactions, from the local to the global. Find the archive online: https://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/radio.html
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