Letter: We are more complicated than politicians and scientists think

There are three problems with Colin Tudge's article. First his claim that Marx believed people are naturally selfish. In fact, Marx saw selfishness as a product of the way society is organised. Under capitalism humans are alienated from their essential nature, which is to work co- operatively. Second, he confuses genuine Marxism, which aims for an egalitarian society and planned economy based on democracy, with bureaucratic Stalinism. And third his proposed solutions, progressive taxation and social democracy, are inadequate. Exploitation, competition, conflict and crisis are built into capitalism. Tinkering with the system is not enough.

Phil Webster

Clitheroe, Lancashire