Rev Left Radio

The Last Years of Karl Marx

Jul 2, 2024

Marcello Musto discusses Karl Marx's final years, addressing criticisms and highlighting his personal life, relationship with Engels, analysis of Russia, and contributions to socialist thought. Musto's expertise provides a deep dive into Marx's intellectual biography, countering myths and offering insights into his continued productivity despite health struggles.

01:40:00

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Episode guests

Marcello Musto

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Marx's late works debunk Eurocentric labels, showing anti-colonial stances.

Marx balanced revolutionary views with a caring, responsible father role.

Marx's writings address global capitalism's destructive impact, promoting solidarity across identities.

Deep dives

Insights into Karl Marx's Last Years

Karl Marx's intellectual biography in his final years reveals a multifaceted approach that corrects misconceptions about his Eurocentric and class reductionist labels. The podcast discusses how Marcello Musto's book delves into Marx's personal life, highlighting his struggles, losses, and deep relationship with Engels. Despite health issues and personal turmoil, Marx's dedication to completing 'Capital' and his impactful work continues through Engels, demonstrating a significant legacy.

Intro

4min

Exploring Marx's Life and Theories with Marcello Musto

3min

Personal Journey with Karl Marx and Rediscovering his Work

5min

The Cultural and Political Organization of the Italian Left

5min

Exploring the Unknown Intellectual Biography of Marx's Later Years

26min

Exploring Karl Marx's Personal Life and Evolving Ideas

27min

Karl Marx's Travel and Health Struggles

27min

Exploring Karl Marx's Last Years and Future Research

3min

Author and Scholar Marcello Musto joins the show to discuss his book "The Last Years of Karl Marx: An Intellectual Biography".

Together, Marcello and Breht explore the last couple years of Karl Marx's life, including his personal tragedies and illnesses as well as his continued study, travels, and theoretical development. They discuss and counter the criticisms that Marx was irredeemably euro-centric, didn't wrestle with the question of colonialism, or was a class reductionist, while also diving into his relationship with his wife and children, his best friend and colleague Engels, his analysis of Russia, and finally, his own death.

Marcello Musto is a Professor of Sociological Theory at York University, in Toronto – Canada, where he is the founding director of the Laboratory for Alternative Theories. He is acknowledged globally as one of the authors who has made significant contributions to the revival of Marx studies over the last decade and his research interests also include Socialist thought, the history of labour movement, and alternative socio-economic systems. His work has been translated worldwide in twenty-five languages and among his publications there are four single-authored books and twelve edited volumes.

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