Karl Marx and ‘English Socialism

Abstract

Marx lived in London for over thirty years, and British politics and culture shaped his life and work extensively. As a contribution to substantiating that latter claim, the present article considers Marx’s relationship with “English Socialism”—that is, the socialism of Robert Owen and the Owenite movement. It identifies Marx’s view of Owen as a person, as well as possible points of negative and positive influence. The negative influences include Marx’s foundational disagreement with Owen about socialist design, and his non-foundational disagreements with Owen include proletarian agency, historical preconditions for socialism, and engagement in class struggle. The positive influences include Marx’s interest in and appreciation of Owenite social criticism, Owenite political economy, Owenite visions of socialism, Owenite “materialism,” and Owenite support for the cooperative movement. This article also answers the question of how Marx might have learned about English Socialism before moving to England, emphasizing three likely “conduits” during his Brussels exile: Marx’s friendship with Friedrich Engels, Marx’s study-trip to Manchester, and Marx’s friendship with Georg Weerth.