Notes from the Editors, July-August 2014

Abstract

Allusions to Marx seem to be emanating from all points of the political compass these days in the context of the current political-economic crisis of capitalism, reflecting the remarkable resurgence of both Marxism and anti-Marxism. What is especially notable in this respect is the extent to which such allusions have come to focus on the saying, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs"—usually identified with Marx's famous 1875 Critique of the Gotha Programme. Conservatives frequently quote "from each according to his ability" (ignoring the rest of the saying) and use it as a kind of code phrase for "Marxism" to attack all progressive measures.

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