Who was Karl Marx and his primary focus?

Karl Marx was a philosopher and economist renowned for his critique of capitalism. His primary focus was to analyze the effects of capitalism on society, particularly regarding class struggles, economic systems, and social inequality. Marx argued that capitalism leads to the exploitation of the working class, whom he referred to as the proletariat, by the owning class, or bourgeoisie.

Through his works, particularly "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital," Marx outlined his theories on how economic systems influence social structures and relationships. He believed that capitalism was inherently flawed and predicted that it would eventually be replaced by socialism and, ultimately, communism, where class distinctions would disappear.

This focus on critiquing the capitalistic system and its implications for society made Marx a pivotal figure in economic and social theories, shaping various labor movements and ideological frameworks throughout history.