Meaning: This quote by Rudolf Hilferding, a prominent Marxist economist, reflects his frustration with the lack of impact that the third volume of Karl Marx's seminal work, "Capital," had on mainstream bourgeois economic thought. In order to understand the significance of this quote, it is essential to delve into the context of both "Capital" and the broader intellectual landscape of economics during Hilferding's time.

Karl Marx's "Capital" is a foundational work in the field of political economy, and it remains a key text in the study of Marxist economics. The first volume of "Capital" was published in 1867, and it laid the groundwork for Marx's analysis of capitalism, including its historical development, the nature of capital, and the exploitation of labor. The subsequent two volumes were edited and published posthumously by Friedrich Engels based on Marx's notes and manuscripts.

The third volume of "Capital," in particular, delves into the inner workings of the capitalist system, focusing on the process of capitalist production as a whole and the distribution of surplus value among capitalists. Marx's analysis in this volume is intricate and comprehensive, providing insights into the dynamics of capitalism that remain relevant to this day.

Rudolf Hilferding, as a Marxist economist, was deeply invested in promoting and advancing Marx's economic theories. His frustration with the lack of attention and impact that the third volume of "Capital" received from bourgeois economic science speaks to the broader divide between Marxist and mainstream economic thought during his time.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the field of economics was dominated by neoclassical and marginalist theories, which emphasized individual utility maximization, equilibrium in markets, and the efficiency of free markets. These mainstream economic theories were at odds with the structural critique of capitalism put forth by Marx and his followers.

Hilferding's quote reflects the marginalization of Marxist economics within the dominant economic discourse of the time. Despite the depth and rigor of Marx's analysis in the third volume of "Capital," it failed to significantly influence or challenge the prevailing economic orthodoxy. The entrenched resistance to Marxist perspectives within bourgeois economic science meant that the profound insights offered by the third volume of "Capital" were largely ignored or dismissed.

Furthermore, Hilferding's frustration with the lack of impact also underscores the broader ideological and political dimensions of economic thought. The relegation of Marxist economics to the periphery of academic discourse reflected the broader marginalization of socialist and communist ideas within the intellectual and political mainstream.

In conclusion, Rudolf Hilferding's quote encapsulates the frustration of Marxist economists with the lack of recognition and influence that the third volume of "Capital" had within bourgeois economic science. It sheds light on the broader tensions and divisions between Marxist and mainstream economic thought during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite the profound insights offered by Marx's analysis, the resistance to Marxist perspectives meant that the revolutionary potential of "Capital" remained largely unrealized within the dominant economic discourse of the time.