Das Kapital, written by Karl Marx, is a foundational text in Marxist economics that critiques political economy and capitalism. It explores the relationships between labor, capital, and economic development, arguing that capitalism inherently leads to class struggle and exploitation. The work is divided into three volumes, with the first volume focusing on the commodity and money, the second on the circulation of capital, and the third on the overall dynamics of capitalism. Marx's analysis aims to reveal the underlying mechanisms of capitalist societies and their implications for social change.