Give Them An Argument The Penguin Edition of Marx's Capital is So Much Better Than the Princeton
Dec 10, 2025
The latest translation of Marx's Capital sparks heated debate. Ben Burgis passionately critiques the Princeton edition, pointing out problematic choices like edition selection and dense endnotes. He argues that the Penguin version is far superior in clarity and style. Key themes include the significance of accurate translation, the impact of Marx's revisions, and the importance of maintaining literary rhythm. Prepare for a lively discussion on why some translations fail to capture the original's impact!
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Long Running Capital Teaching
- Ben Burgis describes teaching Capital repeatedly across in-person and Patreon classes over several years.
- He runs multiple volume classes and an open-door Wednesday night LA group at Cafe Mok.
Princeton Edition Sparks Strong Reactions
- A major new Princeton translation of Capital provoked wide acclaim but also controversy.
- Ben Burgis strongly prefers the Penguin/Fowkes edition and plans to explain why.
Translation Is Accuracy Plus Literary Quality
- Translation quality involves both accuracy and literary quality in the target language.
- Burgis argues readers can validly judge prose and readability even without German expertise.
