Question

What were the "two landmarks" Marx believed to indicate a capitalist economy? Discuss how these two factors relate to Marx theories of profits and ultimately the collapse of capitalism.

Answer 1

1) Primitive (or Original) Accumulation of Capital.

2) The second indicator was the formation of a free labor force at the disposal of capitalist employers. Laborers were separated from control over land, tools, and livestock and were left with only their own labor to sell.

At this point, the capitalist, who now controlled the means of production, hired this free labor, and capitalist factories were established. In this manner, the basic class conflict of capitalism was createdthe conflict between the working class and the capitalist, who owns the labor services of the worker.