The philosophical ideas of Karl Marx encouraged revolutionary thought by critiquing the capitalist system and advocating for class struggle. In works like "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital", Marx emphasized the exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie, calling for a collective uprising to establish a classless society. His theories laid the groundwork for socialism and inspired various labor movements and revolutions throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Marx's insistence on the necessity of economic equality and worker rights continues to resonate, influencing political discourse and social movements around the world.