Engels did much more than Marx himself to popularise the ideas of Marxism.

Answer:

• Friedrich Engels played a crucial role in popularising Marxism. Marx provided the deepest theoretical foundation, but Engels explained, systematised, edited and spread Marxist ideas to a wider audience.

Engels as Populariser

Clear exposition:

• Engels wrote works such as Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, Anti-Duhring and The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State.
• These works made Marxist theory easier to understand.
• He explained historical materialism, class struggle and scientific socialism in accessible language.

Collaboration with Marx:

• Engels co-authored The Communist Manifesto with Marx in 1848.
• He financially supported Marx and helped him continue his research.
• Their intellectual partnership shaped Marxism.

Editing Marx’s works:

• After Marx’s death, Engels edited and published volumes II and III of Capital.
• Without Engels, much of Marx’s economic theory would have remained incomplete for readers.

Qualification

Marx as original theorist:

• Marx developed the core critique of capitalism, surplus value, alienation and historical materialism.
• Engels popularised and extended these ideas rather than replacing Marx.
• Therefore, Engels did more than Marx in popularising Marxism, but Marx remained its central theoretical architect. Engels gave Marxism clarity, organisation and global reach.