Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Marx?

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Most of us grow up hearing warnings about Karl Marx — socialism steals, communism destroys freedom, and Marxism equals totalitarianism. But how much of that is true, and how much is fear shaped by caricature? In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the real Marx: his critique of capitalism, his insights on class struggle, and his concept of alienation — all from a working-class perspective. We contrast Marx’s ideas with the historical misinterpretations that fueled the rise of the Soviet Union, Maoist China, and other state-controlled regimes, showing why fear of “Big Bad Marx” often misses the mark. Through concrete examples from modern American workplaces—warehouses, tech, the service industry and the trades—we reveal how Marx’s analysis of exploitation and labor still resonates today. By the end, listeners will gain a clearer understanding of Marx, distinguish philosophy from historical distortion, and find practical ways to reflect on the value of their own labor.

Keywords: Karl Marx, socialism, communism, capitalism, labor, alienation, working-class perspective, Soviet Union, Marxist critique, modern work, gig economy.

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