Capitalism vs. Marxism

In the contemporary popular imagination, Capitalism promotes Individualism, while the priority of Socialism is the Collective.  But, in their inceptions, the orientations are to the contrary.  For, as the phrase 'wealth of nations' connotes, Smith conceives his system as a rival to Feudalism with respect to an entire society, whereas, at the heart of Marxism is an argument against the exploitation of the individual worker.  Thus, the two are also incommensurate, since the former argues on technical grounds, i. e. that Capitalism is a more effective means to general well-being than is Feudalism,  while Marx's charge against Capitalism is normative, i. e. that Socialism is the more just of the two systems.  One reason why these contrasts are not better recognized is that the associated inessential and ungrounded theses, the Invisible Hand and Dialectical Materialism, are commonly mistaken for them.  Also, that Smith's system is directed specifically against the Feudalist status quo explains why no subsequent Capitalism has managed an intellectually responsible rejoinder to Marxism, a doctrine that has little in common with its original target.