Die Akkumulation des Kapitals.: Ein Beitrag zur ökonomischen Erklärung des Imperialismus. Berlin, Buchhandlung Vorwärts Paul Singer, 1913.

Berlin: Buchhandlung Vorwärts Paul Singer,, 1913. First edition of the author's magnum opus, a major contribution to Marxist economics. "The Accumulation of Capital, probably the best book produced by a Marxist and socialist thinker since Karl Marx's magnum opus, emerged from her sudden revelation. Until January 1912 Rosa Luxemburg was an orthodox follower of Marx, believing that political economy had found its 'crowning achievement' in Das Kapital and may be perfected by his followers only in details. In this vein she began writing a textbook for popular consumption, but while struggling with its last chapter on the general tendencies of capitalist development, she suddenly discovered a problem solved neither by Marx nor anybody else. It was clear to her that capitalism is a historical phenomenon, but that the answer to what its future economic limits were had not been found. This was a question she tried to answer" (Kowalik, p. x). Luxemburg's argument was that capitalism was impossible in a closed system. It therefore had to realize profits through offloading surplus commodities onto other economies, hence the phenomenon of imperialism. Once all world economies were absorbed into the capitalist system, there would be no more markets to exploit, and only then would capitalism break down. Such arguments had influence and resonance in future anti-imperial and post-colonial analysis. Octavo (228 x 152 mm). Original blue half morocco and marbled boards, spine ends ruled and decorated gilt, red morocco label, marbled endpapers and edges. Printed ex-libris of Viktor Achter to front pastedown, small stamp to front free endpaper verso. Joints and extremities neatly restored; a good, clean copy in a contemporary publisher's binding. Stammhammer, p. 955. Tadeusz Kowalik, "Introduction", in The Accumulation of Capital, Routledge Classics, 2003.