The Widespread Appeal of the Communist Manifesto
The Widespread Appeal of the Communist Manifesto
In The Communist Manifesto, Marx's power lies in his ability to write with a style that could appeal to the radical extremes of society. His political theory, complex language, and intricate vocabulary lead his writing to popularity among the educated politicians and scholars, while the dramatic tone and globalist call to arms aroused the interest of the working classes across Europe. These scholars were a small part of the bourgeoisie he wrote about, and similarly the workers his writing appealed to were indistinguishable from the proletariat he described.
In the books introduction, Engels, one of the manifesto’s co-authors, defines the bourgeoisie as the class of the capitalist who controls means of production in society. Likewise, he considers the proletariat to be the working majority, which sells its labor to support a system it has no control over (7). Marx, on the other hand, works to apply moral judgments to these two classes, allowing for him to write on more than just a class struggle. His bourgeoisie is exploitative, manipulative, and inherently evil, while he sees the proletariat as the masses destined to rule itself (10, 17) .
The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848, was one of the most influential texts of the 19th century. In brief, it outlines how all of human development has been forms of class struggles, first with the feudal lord and peasant, and in later years the bourgeoisie and proletariat. According to Marx, the final stage of the development of society is rebellion of the working class. It is inevitable that the laborers will come to rule themselves and overthrow the capitalists. Capitalism is heavily attacked by Marx; he describes the system as exploitative, cruel, unjust, and therefore destined to be overthrown. Through the manifesto, Marx works to call the workers together to gain control of their future, as he believes they must.
The Communist Manifesto was only part of Marx’s
In The Communist Manifesto, Marx's power lies in his ability to write with a style that could appeal to the radical extremes of society. His political theory, complex language, and intricate vocabulary lead his writing to popularity among the educated politicians and scholars, while the dramatic tone and globalist call to arms aroused the interest of the working classes across Europe. These scholars were a small part of the bourgeoisie he wrote about, and similarly the workers his writing appealed to were indistinguishable from the proletariat he described.
In the books introduction, Engels, one of the manifesto’s co-authors, defines the bourgeoisie as the class of the capitalist who controls means of production in society. Likewise, he considers the proletariat to be the working majority, which sells its labor to support a system it has no control over (7). Marx, on the other hand, works to apply moral judgments to these two classes, allowing for him to write on more than just a class struggle. His bourgeoisie is exploitative, manipulative, and inherently evil, while he sees the proletariat as the masses destined to rule itself (10, 17) .
The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848, was one of the most influential texts of the 19th century. In brief, it outlines how all of human development has been forms of class struggles, first with the feudal lord and peasant, and in later years the bourgeoisie and proletariat. According to Marx, the final stage of the development of society is rebellion of the working class. It is inevitable that the laborers will come to rule themselves and overthrow the capitalists. Capitalism is heavily attacked by Marx; he describes the system as exploitative, cruel, unjust, and therefore destined to be overthrown. Through the manifesto, Marx works to call the workers together to gain control of their future, as he believes they must.
The Communist Manifesto was only part of Marx’s