The Communist Manifesto

Definition

The Communist Manifesto is a political pamphlet written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, published in 1848, which presents the principles of communism and critiques the capitalist system. It outlines the struggles between the bourgeoisie, or capitalist class, and the proletariat, or working class, calling for revolutionary action to overthrow capitalist societies in favor of a classless society where the means of production are collectively owned.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Communist Manifesto is divided into four sections: the introduction, a critique of capitalism, a discussion on socialism, and a call to action for workers of the world to unite.
2. Marx and Engels argue that history is characterized by class struggles, which ultimately leads to the revolutionary overthrow of the bourgeoisie by the proletariat.
3. The pamphlet famously opens with the line 'A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of communism,' highlighting the growing influence of communist ideas across Europe at the time.
4. Marx and Engels believed that capitalism would eventually lead to its own demise due to its inherent contradictions, resulting in a socialist society as a transitional stage before achieving full communism.
5. The Communist Manifesto has had a profound impact on global politics, inspiring numerous socialist movements and revolutions throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Review Questions

• What are the main arguments presented in The Communist Manifesto regarding the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat?
  • In The Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels argue that there is an inherent conflict between the bourgeoisie, who control wealth and resources, and the proletariat, who must sell their labor to survive. They contend that this exploitation leads to class struggle, where the oppressed working class must rise against their oppressors to overthrow capitalism. This struggle is seen as a historical process that will ultimately culminate in a classless society.
• How does The Communist Manifesto critique capitalism, and what alternative system do Marx and Engels propose?
  • The Communist Manifesto critiques capitalism by highlighting how it creates inequality and alienation among workers. Marx and Engels argue that capitalism exploits labor for profit while concentrating wealth in the hands of a few. In contrast, they propose socialism as an alternative system where the means of production are collectively owned, aiming for a society where resources are distributed based on need rather than profit, leading eventually to communism.
• Evaluate the influence of The Communist Manifesto on social movements worldwide in the 19th and 20th centuries and its relevance today.
  • The Communist Manifesto significantly influenced various social movements globally by providing a framework for analyzing capitalism and advocating for worker rights. It inspired numerous revolutions, including those in Russia and China, promoting socialist ideologies that sought to dismantle capitalist systems. Today, its relevance persists as debates around inequality, labor rights, and economic systems continue to spark discussions about how to achieve a fairer society in an increasingly globalized world.

Related terms

Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class who own the means of production and are perceived as exploiting the working class.

Proletariat: The working class who sell their labor for wages and do not own the means of production.

Marxism:

A political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx that argues for a class struggle leading to the establishment of a classless society.