Essay Example on the Manifesto of the Communist Party: An Analysis of Class Struggles.

Introduction

The Manifesto of the Communist Party is amongst the most influential writings of political theory ever scripted. Written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, this book was first published in 1848 during a period within which political upheaval was at its peak widespread throughout Europe (Marx & Engels 1-23). Originally published in London and commissioned by the Communist League as the 1848 Revolutions began, The Manifesto of the Communist Party presents an analysis of the struggles within classes, the capitalist conflicts, and the capitalist production mode rather than delivering a prediction of the communist's future forms. However, this paper will provide a book review of The Manifesto of the Communist Party.

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Presently described as The Communist Manifesto, the book served as an inspiration for revolutions across Europe, Russia, China, and Cuba defining Marxism as one of the vital political ideologies in the 20th century. The Manifesto of the Communist Party summarizes Marx's and Engels's theories by setting out their belief that human interactions have been defined by the class struggle and imply that the capitalist systems could be unsustainable. According to Karl Marx, a proletarian revolution could unsurprisingly result in a communist society ruled by the majority to benefit the majority. For anyone willing to understand Karl Marx's political theories and communism, this book is a valuable and precise discourse since it features the main concepts behind Marx and Engels' ideas, such as the expansion of the bourgeoisie, the end of feudalism, and the rise of progressively unequal industrial societies.

Brief Synopsis of the Manifesto of the Communist Party

Divided into four parts and a preamble, The Manifesto of the Communist Party, begins by providing the proclamation that communism is a problem haunting Europe. Marx and Engels pointed out that communism has been an issue affecting individuals both in the Government and opposition. In the introduction, the book offers a precise definition of the views and aims of Marx and Engels as they counter the communist spectre. In the first part of the pamphlet (Bourgeois and Proletarians), it talks of the materialist view of history whereby the existing society is described as the history of class struggles (Marx & Engels 2). Often, communities have taken the structure of a troubled majority misused under the oppressive minority. In capitalism, as described in the book, the industrial proletariat take part in a class struggle against the bourgeoisie, the owners of production means. Defined by history, the class struggle results in a revolution meant to restructure the communities. Still, in the first section of the book, the bourgeoisie emerged as the supreme class in the society which displaces feudalism past powers. Karl Marx points out that the owners of the production means exploit the working class continuously as they seek to create profit and accumulate capital. In the book, Marx and Engels state that the bourgeoisie could be destroying themselves since the working class will ultimately become aware of their potential and revolt to rise to power.

Within the second part of The Manifesto of the Communist Party, "Proletarians and Communists," the section begins by describing the interaction between the mindful communist individuals to the other working-class people. As defined in the book, Marx and Engels argue that communist individuals do not oppose the other working-class people, but will express their views and defend the needs of all the working-class individuals. On different levels, this part focuses on supporting the communists and offers claims advocating for disincentivizes individuals from working. Through the conclusion of the second part, Marx and Engels outline various short term demands that could result in a classless community. The demands include free public education, progressive income tax, nationalization of the communication and transport means, the abolition of child labor, abolition of private property and inheritances, among others.

Finally, the third part of The Manifesto of the Communist Party, "Socialist and Communist Literature," offers a specific difference between communism and other socialist principles during the period such as conservative, reactionary socialism, and utopian socialism. In the book, Marx and Engels provide details on how the different theories vary and mention information on the role of the working class (Marx, Engels, & Hobsbawm). Within the concluding part of the writing, it gives a brief discussion of the position of the communists on the class struggles within the 19th century. It predicts the possibilities of a worldwide revolution in particular nations such as France. In the ending, Marx and Engels declare a union as the democratic socialists offer support to communist revolutions.

Conclusion

As the preface of The Manifesto of the Communist Party states how the writing stands out as one of the enormous political literature, the manifesto delivers significant details on the theories of revolution, according to Marx and Engels. In numerous ways, the book is recognized today as it has had a profound effect on the human development course within the last one and a half-century. This is a book I would recommend to any individual interested in the history of communism as well as the theories and ideologies of Karl Marx as it is a significant attempt to deal with the basics of the communist manifesto. Primarily, this book introduces the practice of Marxism, ideas concerning the nature of politics and culture, and briefly explain the concepts of how capitalism would be replaced by socialism in the long run.

Works Cited

Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. "1848." Manifesto of the Communist Party." (1888).

Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. "The Communist Manifesto." Selected Works by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels. New York: International Publishers, 1363 (1848).

Marx, Karl, Friedrich Engels, and Eric Hobsbawm. The communist manifesto: A modern edition. Verso Books, 2012.