Karl Marx: Founding Father of Workers' Self-Governance?

Abstract

Using textual evidence, primarily from original sources, this article presents and evaluates the argument that workers' self-governance and self-management are central to Karl Marx's vision of the prospective post-capitalist society. Indeed, that Marx can reasonably be characterized as a founder of democratic workers' self-governance. Major rebuttal arguments which challenge Marx's credentials in democratic self-governance are also examined and assessed: these pertain to Marx's views on planning, market processes, association and broader arguments concerning the state, authority and freedom.