Karl Marx, the German philosopher who wrote “Grundrisse” in 1857, is being hailed as a beacon of light for Gen Z. His work has become an indispensable guide to understanding our current chaotic world – from AI and automation to the rise of China. In his writing, Marx predicted many things that are occurring today, including economic inequality and class struggles between workers and capitalists. He also foresaw how technology would change labor relations by replacing human labor with machines or robots.
Marx’s theories have been embraced by young people around the world who are looking for answers about why their lives feel so uncertain right now. They see in him a way forward through this chaos—one that doesn’t involve surrendering power to authoritarian regimes or relying on free-market capitalism alone but instead finding solutions based on collective action and social justice principles, such as equality, solidarity, democracy, and freedom from exploitation.
It appears Gen Z has finally found its Karl Marx! As they grapple with problems like climate change, income inequality, racism, sexism, and xenophobia – all while trying to make sense of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) – it’s clear they need guidance more than ever before. With his timeless insights into humanity’s struggles against oppression & injustice, Karl Marx provides just what they need: A path toward progress & hope amid these turbulent times.
Read more at Foreign Policy
