Economy and work

In every society, economy and work form the basis for coexistence. Our economy is called capitalism and its purpose is to take money and make it into more money. The Marxist critique of the capitalist system allows us to understand the dynamics by which a small number of people become increasingly rich, while the vast majority are faced with poverty. This page provides an introduction to this critical approach.

Climate Catastrophe, Inequality, Exploitation - I'm Having a Crisis

Why is the world the way it is? In the following you'll find an introduction to selected socio-ecological crises. It highlights the connections between the climate crisis, the ecological crisis, gender relations, abundance, privileges and unjust global power relations. You will learn about the connections between capitalism and historically evolved global structures of exploitation.

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Can Green Capitalism Stop the Climate Crisis?

The destructive effects of capitalism on the environment are supposed to be transformed through the use of new technologies or ecological business models. But this cannot ensure genuine socio-ecological change and a good life for all. We need a system change based on the principles of solidarity and care.

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Bild von einem Barista, Bagger, Holz, Lastwagen und Fertigungsanlagen.

No Time for Care Work?

Who runs the household when all the adult members of a family work eight hours a day? Coming home, picking up the children on the way and quickly doing some errands before cooking and tidying up - where is the time left for leisure, relationships or political work? You can find out here who still has this time, who doesn't and how things can be done differently.

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Exiting the Crisis! - Understanding Crises and Paths to Global Justice

Climate breakdown, economic decline, global inequality and growing poverty - one crisis follows the next. To build a sustainable world where humans and nature can coexist in the long term, we need a socio-ecological transformation. We analyze the root causes of current crises and demonstrate how, together, we can win for a better world for all.

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Workers against the Right

Authoritarian politics are on the rise worldwide. At the same time, humanity needs to fundamentally change the prevailing model of production and consumption (especially in the global North) to overcome inequality and exploitation and prevent ecological collapse. Using the examples of Colombia, the USA, Chile, India, France and Germany, we show how workers are opposing authoritarianism, racism and exploitation.

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More and more expensive! - Questions and answers on inflation and the energy crisis

Prices are rising and rising. More and more people are asking themselves how they are going to survive the next few months in view of the high costs of energy and food. There is a lot of criticism of the government's measures, because the relief measures that have been decided are only a drop in the ocean for many. The political left protests for alternatives and demands redistribution. At the beginning of this discussion, there are many questions: what actually is inflation? How does the gas levy work? Are higher wages to blame for the increase in prices? Here you will find answers to these and other questions from the left perspective.

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PolyluxMarx - Supplementary Material for a Reading Course on Das Kapital

Want to read Das Kapital, but not sure where to begin? Marx’s famous foundational theoretical text is still hugely relevant, especially in times of lasting crises. However, he did not make it easy to follow his thoughts. For that reason, PolyluxMarx provides educational material to support readers as they start Das Kapital. It is also a resource for those who want to organize a reading course on the text.

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K is for Karl - A film series about Marx!

Why does the Communist Manifesto still terrify the rich today, which revolution was relevant for Marx what is meant by exploitation? Five short films explore the themes of alienation, communism, revolution, exploitation and the future with machinery.

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Reduced Working Hours: Work Less for the Same Amount of Money?

Stress, exhaustion, and the pressure to perform. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all work less? The history of labour struggles shows us that this does not have to be a utopia. Our short video explains why the same arguments against a reduction in working hours are made again and again, and why a 40-hour work week is by no means set in stone.

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Systematic Foul Play—The 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The inhumane working conditions at World Cup construction sites in Qatar have been making headlines for years. Despite this, little about the situation has changed. According to estimates, around 6,500 South Asian migrant workers have died since construction began. In this short film we take a look at the situation of the many “Guest workers” in Qatar.

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Atlas of Enslavement

The Atlas of Enslavement provides an overview of the many forms of coercion and exploitation in various branches of the global world economy. In doing so, it creates awareness of the invisible realities of modern slavery. Through vivid graphics and with detailed facts, the educational material sheds light on the situation in different regions of the world.

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Self-Management and Factory Occupation

Hundreds of workers around the world have organized to take over companies and organize labor in a way of equality and solidarity. What do reclaimed enterprises under worker control look like? What makes them special and what are the examples around the world? Take a look at this infographic!

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