Final answer:
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and economist who lived from 1818 to 1883. He is most renowned for developing Marxism, which encompasses social, political, and economic theories, and for authoring the Communist Manifesto with Friedrich Engels. His work has significantly influenced global history and is still relevant in contemporary discussions on capitalism and social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist. He is best known for his works on Marxism, a theory that underpins the analysis of class relations and social conflict, as well as the development of socialism and communism. Marx was born in 1818 in Trier, which is now in Germany, and he lived during a time of significant political upheaval across Europe.
Marx's education in philosophy and law at the University of Berlin introduced him to Hegelian philosophy, which greatly influenced his own ideas. His most famous works include the Communist Manifesto, coauthored with Friedrich Engels in 1848, and the three volumes of Das Kapital, with the latter two published posthumously by Engels. The manifesto presented Marx's view that society is progressing through conflict towards greater freedom and that an industrialized society would lead to a proletariat revolution against the capitalist class.
In essence, Marx's theories revolved around the idea of a 'base and superstructure,' where the economic character of a society forms its base, and the culture and social institutions—its superstructure. His works have had a profound influence on world history, particularly with the rise of socialist and communist states in the twentieth century. Marx's analyses and writings on capitalism, class struggle, and the economy continue to be debated and cited in academic and political circles to this day.