Sir — This refers to the article, “Karl Marx, 200 years later” (May 8) by Gwynne Dyer. From May 5, 1818 to May 5, 2018 — yes, Karl Marx is now 200 years old. A modern welfare state with mixed economy is now trying to amalgamate capitalist laissez — faire liberty into socialist endeavour to ensure equality.
Such amalgamation is necessary to create a level-playing field with the help of subsidy and positive discrimination in favour of the needy. This helps welfare states climb up the ladder of the human development index.
Archaic capitalism has indeed been discarded by the welfare states. These countries have graduated from police states to welfare states by giving top priority to human development, welfare of the people and happiness.
So, a welfare state (even the US) cannot deny the contributions of Marxism in its policy of social security like subsidised/free health care, education and handsome allowance for the unemployed.
A welfare state which ensures freedom of an individual and at the same time guarantees his/her social security is a synthesis of the thesis of capitalism and antithesis of socialism. As a matter of fact, a truly welfare state is more inclined to a socialist state than a caged police state.