Historical Materialism and the Economics of Karl Marx

Economic explanations of history meet philosophical scrutiny in Benedetto Croce's essays on Marx. Written in response to particular debates, the essays ask what historical materialism can tell historians and where its claims need limits. Croce treats the influence of economic needs as a guide to interpreting history, while distinguishing that task from the search for a universal law. He also examines labour value, capitalist society and the relation between Marxian economics and general economic theory.

The discussion moves from abstract concepts to the practical difficulties of socialism and free competition. Croce weighs Pareto's arguments about incentives, technical improvement and the organisation of production. Two letters to Pareto further consider choice, will and the economic principle. Readers interested in political thought will find a sustained effort to separate scientific analysis, historical expectation and moral judgment within disputes over economic life.