Introduction

This chapter on aspects of the Marx–Engels relationship sets out in Section B by questioning the merits of a commonly encountered representation of Engels as little more than Marx's mouthpiece. Nonetheless, his role in the production of Capital itself is shown in Section C to parallel that of James Mill with regard to Ricardo's Principles. More generally, we find in Section D that as propagandist he frequently appears to be “more royalist than the king,” particularly with respect to the surplus-value doctrine. His own evaluation of his contribution to the Marxist enterprise, including the doctrine of historical materialism, is the subject matter of Section E. Finally, I examine his performance as editor, taking under consideration, but dismissing, doubts regarding the reliability of his edition of Capital 3 in the light of the original Marx manuscripts of 1864–5 now published in the MEGA edition.

His Master's Voice?

Let us turn first to a commonly encountered underestimation, even dismissal, of Engels's contribution to the Marxian enterprise (see the Prolegomena, pp. 2, 22). Regarding matters of technical detail, I would suggest that there is nothing “pedestrian” about the recognition in the Outlines of the “Marshallian” notion of long-run price entailing both blades of the scissors, and the contention that Ricardo and Say, implicitly or unwittingly, were obliged to make allowance for the omitted blade to make any sense of their own respective doctrines (Chapter One, pp. 29, 65, 83).