Karl Marx and the Communist Manifesto

Question 1

Who was Karl Marx? How did the Communist manifesto come into place?

Answer 1

Karl Marx was born into a wealthy, middle class family. He flunked out of university, and still became an economist, journalist, etc. He wrote the manifesto in 1949 at the age of 29, as commissioned by by the league of the just. In this, he claimed that he could fix the economic crisis of 1846-7, a period that proved the inherent instability of capitalism which provided a perfect opportunity for revolt!

Question 2

What were the social demands of 1848?

Answer 2

1. Universal Suffrage for middle age white guys
2. National government workshops to provide for the unemployed
3. A social safety net/unemployment relief for the poor

Question 3

How does Marx view the bourgeoisie? What is their role in history?

Answer 3

In the historical battle between the oppressors and the oppressed, the bourgeoisie are the oppressors. They’ve done a phenomenal job of putting an end to feudalism, and making their own gravediggers

Question 4

Who are the Proletariat? What is the historical role?

Answer 4

The proletariat are the working class, the oppressed, the gravediggers of the bourgeoisie. Marx says that the base of society is the economy - production determines the superstructure, or the politics and ideas of the place

Question 5

How does Marx view history? What drives history for Marx

Answer 5

Marx seems to view history as a prototype/lesson about the general patterns of all society. History is driven by conflict and unity of the oppressed in order to stand against the oppressor

Question 6

How is Marx influenced by the French Revolution?

Answer 6

According to Marx, the French Revolution is the best thing that ever happened. A beautiful example of the oppressed rising against their oppressors. He loved the idea of the bourgeois taking power

Question 7

What’s Marx’s program for action?

Answer 7

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.
2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.
3. Abolition of all right of incrilance.
4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and
   by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.
5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the state,
6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.
7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.
8. Equal obligation of all to work. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.
9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the population over the country.
10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of child factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, etc.

Question 8

How does Marx view other types of socialists?

Answer 8

Honestly, he’s not a fan.

1. Feudal socialism is menacing and pathetic
2. Petty-bourgeois Socialism: wants to return to the old ways
3. German or “True” Socialism: He didn’t like their tactics
4. Conservative Socialism: Whatever. He didn’t like em
5. Critical-Utopian Socialism