New Books in Intellectual History Bruno Leipold, "Citizen Marx: Republicanism and the Formation of Karl Marx’s Social and Political Thought" (Princeton UP, 2024)
Apr 8, 2025
Bruno Leipold, a political theory fellow at the LSE and co-editor of Radical Republicanism, dives into the complexities of Karl Marx’s relationship with republicanism. He argues that Marx's thoughts on politics, democracy, and freedom were heavily influenced by republican ideals. The conversation explores Marx's early advocacy for a democratic republic, his critique of the 1848 French Republic, and how the Paris Commune shaped his views on citizen engagement and power. Leipold challenges common interpretations, revealing a nuanced Marx who valued democratic institutions as essential for true emancipation.
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19th Century European Politics
- 19th century Europe's political landscape differed vastly from today's.
- Republicanism was the left-wing ideology, advocating for democratic republics against monarchies and other forms of arbitrary power.
Marx's Early Journalism
- Karl Marx's early journalism targeted Prussia's monarchy through critiques of arbitrary power, like censorship.
- He strategically used liberal arguments and focused on specific instances of injustice to navigate strict censorship.
Marx's Critique of Hegel
- Marx critiqued Hegel's constitutional monarchy, finding it too exclusive.
- He argued for popular sovereignty and citizen participation in lawmaking, contrasting with Hegel's limited system.