During almost every one of the periodic crises that affect mercantile economies, voices are raised saying “Marx was right after all”. A few years ago Nicolas Sarkozy was seen ostentatiously clasping a copy of Das Kapital, while in recent weeks financial gurus, including Nouriel Roubini and George Magnus, have written articles referencing the communist thinker. When recovery occurs, the cry vanishes only to reappear next time there is an economic bust. The first thing wrong with the slogan is that it has little to do with Karl Marx. I remember the otherwise highly intelligent professional lady who, when asked why she was a Marxist, replied: “I got bored with my father’s friends.”