Communist_Manifesto

The Communist Manifesto argument: a limpid summary The Communist Manifesto was written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848 to clarify the objectives of the Communist Party to ultimately mobilize proletariats in a social revolution. In the opening line of the Manifesto, Marx asserts that “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles” (473). Marx’s analyses of history in terms of class struggle as well as his condemnation of Capitalism provide the foundation of the manuscript’s argument. While Marx is successful in describing the unceasing injustices posed on society at the hands of the bourgeoisie, much of his reasoning is weakened because the argument is extremely teleological. His attempt to lure supporters into mobilization rests primarily upon the assumption that class struggle and exploitation exclusively exist for the purpose of unifying the oppressed and starting a revolution. In an effort to legitimize his unwavering belief that the history of mankind is synonymous with class struggle, Marx introduces the methodological principle of “materialist concept of history”. This concept contends that the foundation of any society relies on its production capacity. Furthermore, as this capacity grows over time, relations between classes in a society transform as well, resulting in class struggles. In other words, Marxist theory affirms that conditions within political and social institutions are a direct reflection of their economy. During the late 1840s the “shameless” and “brutal” conditions within these institutions were a direct result of the bourgeoisie’s implementation of a Capitalist economy (475). His critique of such an economy concludes with the contention that as long as the bourgeoisie own all means of production (i.e. capital), they will continue to oppress the proletariats until society ceases to progress. Although Marx warns that society will cease to progress, he also maintains that upheaval will occur periodically and unsuccessfully unless Communism is implemented. Because the bourgeoisie is the source of so much angst within the proletariat community, their “existence is no longer compatible with society” (483). Marx supports this assertion by theorizing that as industrial technology advances, the working class becomes progressively deskilled. As more men are replaced with machine, poverty and unrest grows. Large business destroys competition, casting middle class merchants into poverty and increasing the hatred felt toward the elite. As the lower class expands, the bourgeoisie become vastly outnumbered. Eventually, unrest reaches its breaking point at which point unions and riots overthrow oppressors. While this is favorable, Marx warns that, without a Communist revolution, Capitalism will recapture society after upheaval and the bourgeoisie will continue to destroy society. By seizing all capital as well as political power from the bourgeoisie, Marx is resolute that the world will achieve an equal, classless, and stateless society. Through Communist revolution, society would practice collective ownership of a planned economy where the role of money no longer conditions by the mode of production. Marx’s certainty that revolution would occur, along with his romantic description of revolution as the “self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interests of the immense majority”, inspired many to support a phenomena that promised to change the world. His adamancy that a utopia, free from unrest and inequality, was entirely possible made his argument appealing to suffering working class populations. Although the Manifesto addresses several legitimate criticisms of skeptics, Marx nonetheless assures the reader that his plan of ten points defy all negative evaluation. While his confidence and passion is certainly convincing, it still remains that Marx’s plan is mere speculation. It is easy to forget that he has no idea what sort of effects his revolution will have on society, yet if he admitted uncertainty, his entire argument would be void. From the Manifesto, the reader can be certain that Marx is a very determined revolutionary with the ability to appeal to his audience. Communism is, above all else, about the prosperity of the working class and their needs as a whole. In his inspired conclusion, Marx makes one final call for unity saying that, while the power and wealth of the bourgeoisie is constantly in jeopardy, “the proletariats have nothing to lose but their chains” (500).