Disposable Time and Capital

What does Karl Marx’s Capital mean for our lives today?Disposable Time and Capital: Learning from Marx by Shii Kazuo offers a compelling and highly accessible answer.This book presents Capital not simply as a critique of capitalism, but as a powerful guide to thinking about human freedom. At its core is Marx’s idea of “disposable time”─time beyond necessity that can be devoted to learning, creativity, social life, and the full development of human potential. By placing this concept at the center, the book reveals a striking and often overlooked dimension of Marx’s thought: that the true wealth of society lies not only in production, but in the expansion of free time.Based on a series of widely praised lectures, the book is structured in three parts that guide readers step by step. It begins with a clear explanation of socialism as a society grounded in human freedom, not state control. It then introduces the key ideas of Capital─including exploitation and the struggle over working time─in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Finally, it explores the deeper theoretical foundations of Marx’s vision, drawing on both published works and recent scholarly research.The author, Shii Kazuo, is Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party and a former long-serving member of Japan’s House of Representatives. Known for his extensive engagement with political economy and contemporary global issues, he brings both intellectual depth and practical insight to his reading of Marx.The result is a rare combination: a book that is both accessible for beginners and intellectually satisfying for serious readers. Without requiring prior knowledge, it opens the door to one of the most influential works in modern thought.At a time when questions about work, inequality, and the use of time are more urgent than ever, this book offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective. It invites readers to rediscover Marx not only as a critic of capitalism, but as a thinker who explored how a freer and more humane society might be built.Clear, engaging, and deeply relevant, Disposable Time and Capital is an ideal introduction to Marx─and a timely guide for anyone interested in the future of work and human freedom.