In "Civilization: The West and the Rest," Niall Ferguson presents a critical view of Karl Marx, describing him as a disagreeable figure who thrived on controversy and held pretentious claims about his lineage. This portrayal highlights both Marx's contentious personality and his attempts to elevate his social standing through claims of nobility.

Ferguson also notes the financial dependence that Marx had on Friedrich Engels, who supported him throughout his life. This relationship underscores that, for Engels, socialism was an interest rather than a serious commitment, suggesting a disconnect between Marx's revolutionary ideology and the reality of his circumstances.