Marx misread Britain because the bourgeoisie integrated into the old aristocratic bloc

Evidence

In fact, as Fernbach notes, Marx understood Britain politically far less well than France. He never grasped the deep compromise on which, after the settlement, British political life was stabilized; and he believed that ultimately, the industrial bourgeoisie would transform everything in its wake and assume power directly, “battering Old England to pieces.” In fact, “the industrial bourgeoisie managed to integrate itself politically and culturally into the old ruling bloc and the aristocratic ‘mask’ was to remain for at least a further half-century to camouflage and mystify the rule of capital” (Fernbach). — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 511

Categorization

• XREF: The aristocratic ‘mask’ camouflaging capital’s rule is an early instance of what Gramsci calls hegemony — integration of the rising class into the existing ruling bloc.