Communism and the Communist Manifesto
Braidie LeClair
Background
Nowadays, to speak of development is to almost always speak of development in capitalist terms. Many modernized countries rely on a combination of unlimited production with the use of newly developed technology. Development in this context implies a continuing modernization – one that expands production of goods while encouraging developing nations to embrace the same model.[1] The concept of communism originated long before it became a mainstream controversy in the 20th century. With the philosophy originating in the 1840s, communism has consistently emphasized its main purpose and desire-to dig up the foundations of society and rebuild.[2]
Between 1789 and 1850, the age of modern ideologies was born with liberalism, socialism, and communism all making their way to the public stage. The post- and mid-industrial injustices and exploitation created a distinct separation and sense of rebellion globally. Communism developed alongside the growth of industrial civilization in both the late 18thand19th centuries. During its development, communists were not radicals solely in the economic sphere but also fought fiercely for political power and to direct political actions. The fundamental aspects associated with communism arose out of a period of deep crisis and upheaval that challenged the social, political and economic norms of the time. Communism is based on a radical idea of holistic national equality with vigor for revolutionary upheavals with a desire for upheaval rather than reformation.[3]Perhaps one of the most influential and infamous characters in the development of communism was Karl Marx. Marx, born in 1818 was a radical philosopher.
Turning Point
The Communist Manifesto is a product of the combination of social, economic and political turmoil that embodied Europe pre-1850. The Manifesto was the first systematic depiction and explanation of the strategy, philosophy and world-view of communism in the modern era. The Manifesto was co-authored by Karl Marx, who was the primary contributor, and Friedrich Engels with the purpose to incite a political movement. This four-part composition was divided by subject consisting of chapters such as the rise of the bourgeoisies, the role of communists and their relation to the proletariats, and an assortment of critiques on socialism.[4]Throughout the Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels provide reasoning and promote the abolition of private property, divisions of labor, personal ownership, family and nationality. The end-goal for Marx and Engels according to the Manifesto was a production run by and for the good of society according to a social plan, the common use and distribution of all products, andcommunal education and universal woman’s rights. Marx and Engels outlined explicit stages and a plan for commencing the entire revolution.[5]
Effect
This document directly inspired the rise of modern communism, inciting an international movement that called for the overthrow of capitalism and to emancipate mankind from different forms of oppression.[6]Since the Manifesto’s creation, nations have been united, destroyed or identified by their relationship with communism. Currently China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam create the modern base of communism in the world.[7] Former communist nations include the Soviet Union, parts of Eastern Europe, the Balkans and parts of Africa.
What was revolutionary about Marx’s publication was the way he investigated and explained a completely new and radical system that shattered the barriers and structure of what bound modern society together. Marx outlined post-publication his main points of the Manifesto in a letter in 1852 explaining: “What I did that was new was to prove (1) that the existence of classes is only bound up with particular, historic phases in the development of production; (2) that the class struggle necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat; (3) that this dictatorship itself only constitutes the transition to the abolition of all classes and to classless society.”[8] Marx and Engels specifically outlined their vision for the future under capitalism: an inevitable revolution between the working and upper classes under capitalism, in which the working class would have no chance of ultimate victory.[9]
After its initial publication, only a few radicals truly paid attention to the mission statement of this small radical group; however, during the 20th century this previously overlooked publication became one of the most discussed and read documents of the era. Marx’s ideas made the oppressed conscious of their status both economically and socially and influenced the unity and strength of the working class majority. By outlining and explaining this structure, the Communist Manifesto helped citizens see the cohesive pattern between classes and its influence on society and history. Marx and Engels helped bring an unheard voice to the working class addressing social class division in a time period of radical industrialization and change.
[1]Xang, Li, "Capitalism and Globalisation in the Light of the Communist Manifesto”, 1998, p.2223-27
[2]Service, Robert, “Comrades! : A History of World Communism”, Harvard University Press, 2007, p.13
[3]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p.16, PDF.
[4]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p. 21, PDF.
[5]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p. 22, PDF.
[6]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p. 33, PDF.
[7]Brown, Archie, “The Rise and Fall of Communism”, HarperCollins Publishers, 2009 p.3
[8]Marx, Karl, "Karl Marx", Letter to J. Weydemeyer, Progress, 1977, p.258. Print.
[9]Service, Robert, “Comrades! : A History of World Communism”, Harvard University Press, 2007, p.27
Bibliography
Brown, Archie. The Rise and Fall of Communism. New York: HarperCollins
Publishers, 2009. Print.
Marx, Karl. "Karl Marx." Letter to J. Weydemeyer. 05 Mar. 1852. Karl Marx, Frederick Engels Selected Works. Vol. 1. Moscow: Progress, 1977. 258. Print.
Sandle, Mark. The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism. Longman, 2012. PDF
file.
Service, Robert. Comrades! : A History of World Communism. Cambridge: Harvard
University Press, 2007. Print.
Spalding, Roger. "The Communist Manifesto." History Review 2000 2000: n. pag.
HistoryToday. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.historytoday.com/
roger-spalding/communist-manifesto>
Xang, Li. "Capitalism and Globalisation in the Light of the Communist
Manifesto." Economic and Political Weekly 33.33/34 (1998): 2223-27.
Jstor.org. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/
4407099>.
Braidie LeClair
Background
Nowadays, to speak of development is to almost always speak of development in capitalist terms. Many modernized countries rely on a combination of unlimited production with the use of newly developed technology. Development in this context implies a continuing modernization – one that expands production of goods while encouraging developing nations to embrace the same model.[1] The concept of communism originated long before it became a mainstream controversy in the 20th century. With the philosophy originating in the 1840s, communism has consistently emphasized its main purpose and desire-to dig up the foundations of society and rebuild.[2]
Between 1789 and 1850, the age of modern ideologies was born with liberalism, socialism, and communism all making their way to the public stage. The post- and mid-industrial injustices and exploitation created a distinct separation and sense of rebellion globally. Communism developed alongside the growth of industrial civilization in both the late 18thand19th centuries. During its development, communists were not radicals solely in the economic sphere but also fought fiercely for political power and to direct political actions. The fundamental aspects associated with communism arose out of a period of deep crisis and upheaval that challenged the social, political and economic norms of the time. Communism is based on a radical idea of holistic national equality with vigor for revolutionary upheavals with a desire for upheaval rather than reformation.[3]Perhaps one of the most influential and infamous characters in the development of communism was Karl Marx. Marx, born in 1818 was a radical philosopher.
Turning Point
The Communist Manifesto is a product of the combination of social, economic and political turmoil that embodied Europe pre-1850. The Manifesto was the first systematic depiction and explanation of the strategy, philosophy and world-view of communism in the modern era. The Manifesto was co-authored by Karl Marx, who was the primary contributor, and Friedrich Engels with the purpose to incite a political movement. This four-part composition was divided by subject consisting of chapters such as the rise of the bourgeoisies, the role of communists and their relation to the proletariats, and an assortment of critiques on socialism.[4]Throughout the Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels provide reasoning and promote the abolition of private property, divisions of labor, personal ownership, family and nationality. The end-goal for Marx and Engels according to the Manifesto was a production run by and for the good of society according to a social plan, the common use and distribution of all products, andcommunal education and universal woman’s rights. Marx and Engels outlined explicit stages and a plan for commencing the entire revolution.[5]
Effect
This document directly inspired the rise of modern communism, inciting an international movement that called for the overthrow of capitalism and to emancipate mankind from different forms of oppression.[6]Since the Manifesto’s creation, nations have been united, destroyed or identified by their relationship with communism. Currently China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam create the modern base of communism in the world.[7] Former communist nations include the Soviet Union, parts of Eastern Europe, the Balkans and parts of Africa.
What was revolutionary about Marx’s publication was the way he investigated and explained a completely new and radical system that shattered the barriers and structure of what bound modern society together. Marx outlined post-publication his main points of the Manifesto in a letter in 1852 explaining: “What I did that was new was to prove (1) that the existence of classes is only bound up with particular, historic phases in the development of production; (2) that the class struggle necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat; (3) that this dictatorship itself only constitutes the transition to the abolition of all classes and to classless society.”[8] Marx and Engels specifically outlined their vision for the future under capitalism: an inevitable revolution between the working and upper classes under capitalism, in which the working class would have no chance of ultimate victory.[9]
After its initial publication, only a few radicals truly paid attention to the mission statement of this small radical group; however, during the 20th century this previously overlooked publication became one of the most discussed and read documents of the era. Marx’s ideas made the oppressed conscious of their status both economically and socially and influenced the unity and strength of the working class majority. By outlining and explaining this structure, the Communist Manifesto helped citizens see the cohesive pattern between classes and its influence on society and history. Marx and Engels helped bring an unheard voice to the working class addressing social class division in a time period of radical industrialization and change.
[1]Xang, Li, "Capitalism and Globalisation in the Light of the Communist Manifesto”, 1998, p.2223-27
[2]Service, Robert, “Comrades! : A History of World Communism”, Harvard University Press, 2007, p.13
[3]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p.16, PDF.
[4]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p. 21, PDF.
[5]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p. 22, PDF.
[6]Sandle, Mark, “The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism”, Longman, 2012 p. 33, PDF.
[7]Brown, Archie, “The Rise and Fall of Communism”, HarperCollins Publishers, 2009 p.3
[8]Marx, Karl, "Karl Marx", Letter to J. Weydemeyer, Progress, 1977, p.258. Print.
[9]Service, Robert, “Comrades! : A History of World Communism”, Harvard University Press, 2007, p.27
Bibliography
Brown, Archie. The Rise and Fall of Communism. New York: HarperCollins
Publishers, 2009. Print.
Marx, Karl. "Karl Marx." Letter to J. Weydemeyer. 05 Mar. 1852. Karl Marx, Frederick Engels Selected Works. Vol. 1. Moscow: Progress, 1977. 258. Print.
Sandle, Mark. The Rise of ‘Modern’ Communism. Longman, 2012. PDF
file.
Service, Robert. Comrades! : A History of World Communism. Cambridge: Harvard
University Press, 2007. Print.
Spalding, Roger. "The Communist Manifesto." History Review 2000 2000: n. pag.
HistoryToday. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.historytoday.com/
roger-spalding/communist-manifesto>
Xang, Li. "Capitalism and Globalisation in the Light of the Communist
Manifesto." Economic and Political Weekly 33.33/34 (1998): 2223-27.
Jstor.org. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/
4407099>.