Communist manifesto quiz Flashcards
Feudalism
A hierarchical system where landowners (nobles) control the land, and serfs work it in exchange for protection.
Replaced by capitalism as industrial production developed, breaking the feudal economic structure.
Quote:
“The feudal system of industry…now no longer sufficed for the growing wants of the new markets.”
Bourgeois/ Laissez-faire
The bourgeoisie is the capitalist class that owns the means of production and profits from wage labor.
Laissez-faire economics supports minimal government interference, allowing market forces to dominate.
Quote:
“The bourgeoisie has played a most revolutionary part in history.”
Proletariat / Dictatorship of the Proletariat / Lumpenproletariat
The proletariat is the working class, which sells its labor for wages.
The dictatorship of the proletariat is a transitional socialist state where workers seize power.
Quote:
“The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains.”
Alienation of Labor
Under capitalism, workers are disconnected from the products of their labor, which are owned by capitalists.
This alienation leads to a loss of fulfillment and a sense of powerlessness in laborers.
Quote:
“Owing to the extensive use of machinery… the work of the proletarians has lost all individual character.”
Class struggle
History is defined by the conflict between oppressor and oppressed classes.
The proletariat and bourgeoisie are the primary antagonists in modern capitalist society.
Quote:
“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”
Revolutionary Violence
Marx argues that the overthrow of capitalism will likely require force.
The ruling class will not voluntarily give up power, necessitating revolutionary action.
Quote:
“The ruling classes tremble at a Communist revolution.”
Scientific Socialism
A socialist ideology based on historical materialism and class struggle.
Developed through economic analysis rather than utopian ideals.
Quote:
“The proletariat alone is a really revolutionary class.”
Socialism
A system in which production is collectively owned or controlled by the state or workers.
Acts as a transitional stage between capitalism and communism.
Quote:
“In place of the old bourgeois society, with its classes and class antagonisms, we shall have an association, in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.”
Communism
A classless, stateless society in which all property is collectively owned.
The final stage of Marxist theory, where exploitation and class distinctions cease to exist.
Quote:
“The theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.”
Internationalism
Advocates for global working-class solidarity beyond national borders.
Marx saw nationalism as a tool of the ruling class to divide workers.
Quote:
“Workers of the world, unite!”
Nationalism
A sense of loyalty and identity tied to one’s nation, often used by elites to manipulate the working class.
Can be a barrier to international socialist movements.
Quote:
“The working men have no country.”
Utopian Socialism
Early socialist thinkers who envisioned ideal societies without focusing on class struggle.
Criticized by Marx as unrealistic and disconnected from economic analysis.
Quote:
“The undeveloped stage of the struggle of the proletariat, as well as their own surroundings, cause Socialists of this kind to consider themselves far superior to all class antagonisms.”
Surplus Labor
The additional labor workers perform beyond what is necessary for their own subsistence.
Capitalists extract this surplus labor as profit, leading to exploitation.
Quote:
“Modern industry has converted the little workshop of the patriarchal master into the great factory of the industrial capitalist.”
Capitalism
An economic system based on private ownership of production and profit maximization.
Marx argues that capitalism inevitably leads to class struggle and will be replaced.
Quote:
“The bourgeoisie… has resolved personal worth into exchange value
Conservatism (Contrasting ideas)
Favored maintaining traditional monarchies and aristocratic power.
Opposed radical social change and revolutions.
Quote (Implied in Marx’s critique):
“The bourgeoisie has stripped of its halo every occupation hitherto honored and looked up to with reverent awe.”
Abolition (Contrasting ideas)
The movement to end slavery, often aligned with broader struggles for justice.
Marx saw slavery as part of the exploitative system capitalism inherited from feudalism.
Quote:
(Though not directly addressed, the abolitionist movement aligned with revolutionary ideas
Liberalism ( Contrasting ideas)
Advocated for free markets, individual rights, and limited government intervention.
Marx critiqued liberalism for maintaining economic inequalities.
Quote:
“Free trade! For the exploitation of the whole world by a single bourgeoisie.”
Revolution of 1832 ideals
The British Reform Act of 1832 expanded voting rights to the middle class but excluded the working class.
Marx saw it as a bourgeois reform rather than a true revolution.
Quote:
“Political power, properly so called, is merely the organized power of one class for oppressing another.”
Radicalism/ Socialism
Sought deeper social change than liberal reforms, advocating for redistribution of wealth.
Marx believed socialism must be rooted in class struggle to succeed.
Quote:
“Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communist revolution.”
Proudhon (Contrasting ideas)
An anarchist socialist who rejected state socialism in favor of mutualist economic principles.
Marx critiqued Proudhon for his rejection of class struggle and revolutionary tactics.
Quote (Marx’s critique of Proudhon’s views):
“The proletarians of each country must, of course, first of all settle matters with their own bourgeoisie.”
Class Struggle (term)
Inherent conflict between the bourgeoise and the proletariat
Proletariat (term)
Social class having no significant ownership of the production
Labor Aritocracy
privileged stratum within the working class that enjoys the wages and working conditions then the counterparts
Bourgeoisie (term)
social order that is dominated by the s0-called middle class
