Description
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is a political pamphlet that outlines a critique of capitalism and argues that history is a series of class struggles between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (the working class). It calls for the proletariat to revolt, abolish private property, and seize the means of production to create a classless, communist society where wealth and resources are shared collectively.Â
Key points
- Historical materialism: The pamphlet posits that class struggle is the driving force of history, with different modes of production (slavery, feudalism, capitalism) creating conflict.
- Critique of capitalism: It argues that capitalism inherently exploits the proletariat, leading to their alienation and poverty, and that its internal contradictions will inevitably cause its downfall.
- The Proletariat’s role: The proletariat, the exploited working class, must unite and overthrow the bourgeoisie to end class distinctions.
- The goals of communism: The ultimate goal is a classless society where private property is abolished and the means of production are owned collectively. This new system would allow for the free development of all individuals.
- Transitional phase: The pamphlet advocates for a temporary “dictatorship of the proletariat,” where the working class seizes the government and implements policies to dismantle capitalism, such as the abolition of inheritance, heavy taxation, and centralization of credit and transport.
