Eli’s Mind

(1) What happened in France during the Revolution of 1830?
The Revolution of 1830 in France, also known as the July Revolution, saw the overthrow of King Charles X and the Bourbon monarchy. This revolution was sparked by Charles X’s attempt to increase his own power and roll back liberal reforms, which angered the bourgeoisie and other liberal factions. The revolution culminated in three days of street fighting in Paris in July 1830, resulting in Charles X’s abdication and the installation of Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orleans, as the “Citizen King” of France, marking the transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

(2) Why did Karl Marx think socialism was superior to capitalism?
Karl Marx believed that socialism was superior to capitalism primarily because he saw capitalism as inherently exploitative and unjust. He argued that under capitalism, the means of production are owned privately by a small capitalist class, who exploit the labor of the working class to generate profits. Marx believed that this exploitation leads to inequality, alienation, and ultimately, class conflict. In contrast, Marx envisioned socialism as a system where the means of production would be owned collectively by the workers, leading to a more equitable distribution of wealth and power. He believed that socialism would abolish class distinctions, eliminate exploitation, and create a society based on cooperation and shared prosperity.