The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte

Historical Context and Significance

«The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte» is a work by Karl Marx, written in 1852, in which he analyzes the events of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état in France in 1851. Marx uses historical material to illustrate his theories on class struggle and political power. He introduces the concept of history repeating itself, asserting that «history repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce». This work has had a significant impact on the development of Marxist theory and political philosophy, offering a profound analysis of the mechanisms of power and the role of individuals in history. It has also influenced cultural and political movements, inspiring subsequent generations of thinkers and activists striving for social change and understanding of political processes.