I feel that some explanation is necessary on the part of anyone who adds to the voluminous literature of exposition and criticism of Marxism. This book is being published to supply the need for a short and more or less popular introduction to the subject, which shall be accessible at a reasonable price. Most of the short expositions Of Marxism are either parti san or they are out of date. The recent events in Russia have brought Marx prominently to the fore again. He can no longer be easily relegated to the nineteenth century lumber room as a back number, because the orthodox economists have succeeded to their own satisfaction in refuting his economic theories. For his sociological and political ideas are the acknowledged doctrines which are animating the rulers of a great European state and — through them — the world-wide revolutionary section of the prole tariate. We can support Marxism at the present time, or we can oppose it, or we can criticise it. But we cannot ignore it — that is, unless we are contentto play the ostrich in the midst of the amazing ferment of humanity that is going on. Before concluding this preface 1 should like to thank my tutorial class in Marxian Economics, which impressed upon me, far more than any reading has done, the ways in which Marx's teaching appeals to students of his work. It would have been quite im possible for me to have written the third chapter of this book without having had the advantage of a year's discussion with my tutorial class students. I have also to thank Mr. J. C. Stewart and Mr. W. N. Butler for their kind assistance in proof reading. Finally, I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to my wife, both for her ready help in preparing the' index, and for her patient acquiescence in the arrangements which made the writing of this book possible.
