Summary of Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx Introd Essays

Summary of Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx Introduction Karl Marx was born in 1818 into a middle-class, German family. During his studies, Marx was heavily influenced by the philosophy of Hegel. He joined a group called the " Young Hegelians. " The group, though " inspired by Hegel, [was] determined to champion the more radical aspects of the old master's system. " [i] Though he was a strong scholar, he got into trouble because of his radical political views.[ii] In 1847, together with fellow German, Freidrich Engels, Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto. The Central Authority of the Communist League approved The Communist Manifesto January of 1848, and the document began printing the next month.[iii] The manifesto was " inspired by the emergence of the modern working class, [he] developed a wholly new socialist outlook based upon the principle of socialism from below. " [iv] In Marx ' s version of socialism, there were two central t hemes, one of which was that the working class had to liberate themselves from their oppressors, and the other involved the working people overthrowing their current government to create a new, democratic society for themselves.[v] Summary of Section 1 Marx begins by showing that throughout all of history humans have divided themselves into certain ranks or classes. For example, in the Middle Ages social divisions were " feudal lords, vassals, guild-masters, journeymen, apprentices, [and] serfs. " [vi] As long as social stratification has existed, one group or groups have been the oppressor while another group or groups have been the oppressed. The fight that exists between the oppressed and the oppressor is destine to end reconstruction of society triggered by revolution or in the demise of both classes. Modern society is split into two classes: the bourgeoisie, who were the capitalists that employ the working class laborers and control producti on, and the proletariat, who were the working class laborers that must work in order to survive. The Communist Manifesto goes on to explore the origin of the bourgeoisie as a result of development in means of production. As new markets were within reach and increasing in number so was the demand for products, but the manufacturing industry could not keep up with such a high demand. Out of this problem came the Industrial Revolution, which provided development in means of production, and in turn manufacturing could keep up with the demand. This increased the wealth of the bourgeoisie, and with this increase in wealth came their increase in power. The developments in production lead to the development of the bourgeoisie, which " was accompanied by a corresponding political advance of that class. " [vii] The bourgeoisie had destroyed the relations that link individuals to their superiors; the only remaining tie between humans is monetary exchange. The sp ecialists, such as doctors, have been reduced to laborers and the relations in families have been reduced " to a mere money relation. " [viii] The existence of the bourgeoisie is dependent on the constant development in the means of production, with ever changing modes of production inevitably comes change in social relations. All of these disturbances have caused man " to face with sober senses, his real conditions of life, and his relations with his kind. " [ix] The bourgeoisie infest and institute themselves all over the world to satisfy their need for an ever-enlarging market. Every country in the world " cosmopolitan character [has been given] to production and consumption. " [x] As a result of the bourgeoisie ' s widespread power, third world nations were drawn into becoming civilized and following behind bourgeoisie production methods. Marx goes on to explain the crisis that the modern bourgeoisie society faced; the producti ve nature of their society is no longer increasing their development. Instead, over-production is threatening the existence of the modern bourgeoisie society. The weapons used by the bourgeoisie against feudalism are now turned on the bourgeoisie themselves. Marx introduces those who are to possess the weapons, " the men who are to wield those weapons - the modern working class - the proletarians. " [xi] The proletarians developed alongside the bourgeoisie. Exposed to all changes in the market, the proletarians must work in order to sustain life. The