Midterm prep: The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels

Question 1

Question: What is The Communist Manifesto?

Answer 1

Answer: The Communist Manifesto is a political and economic treatise written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that critiques capitalism and presents a vision for a socialist society.

Question 2

Question: How do Marx and Engels see the development of capitalism and globalization?

Answer 2

Answer: Marx and Engels see capitalism as a global economic system that is driven by the pursuit of profit and the exploitation of workers. Globalization is seen as a process that has facilitated the growth of capitalism and the concentration of economic power in the hands of a few transnational corporations.

Question 3

Question: What are some of the key themes and concepts introduced in the introductory chapter of The Communist Manifesto?

Answer 3

Answer: The introductory chapter of The Communist Manifesto introduces the concepts of class struggle, labor exploitation, and alienation under capitalism. It also outlines Marx and Engels’ vision for a proletarian revolution and a socialist society.

Question 4

Question: How does Marx and Engels’ analysis of capitalism and globalization relate to human geography?

Answer 4

Answer: Marx and Engels’ critique of capitalism and globalization can help us understand the geographies of economic development, labor relations, and social inequality. Their analysis of the ways in which power and inequality are embedded in social and economic systems is relevant to many key topics in human geography.

Question 5

Question: What are some of the ways in which globalization has impacted workers and societies around the world?

Answer 5

Answer: Globalization has impacted workers and societies around the world in various ways, including the uneven distribution of economic benefits, the loss of traditional industries and ways of life, and the exploitation of labor. It has also facilitated the growth of global corporations and the concentration of economic power in the hands of a few transnational actors.

Question 6

Question: Who are the bourgeoisie in Marx and Engels’ analysis of globalization?

Answer 6

Answer: The bourgeoisie are the capitalist class who have driven the process of industrialization and globalization. They are seen as the ones who benefit from the exploitation of workers and the destruction of national industries.

Question 7

Question: What is the role of free trade in globalization, according to Marx and Engels?

Answer 7

Answer: Marx and Engels argue that free trade allows for the unrestricted movement of goods, capital, and labor across borders, which has allowed for the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the capitalist class.

Question 8

Question: How has globalization impacted traditional economies and ways of life, according to Marx and Engels?

Answer 8

Answer: Marx and Engels argue that the constant need to expand and find new markets has led to the destruction of traditional economies and ways of life, particularly in the Global South. The creation of a global division of labor has often benefited the Global North at the expense of the Global South.

Question 9

Question: What is the “epidemic of overproduction” that Marx and Engels refer to?

Answer 9

Answer: The “epidemic of overproduction” refers to the tendency for supply to outstrip demand as a result of the constant need to expand and find new markets. This can lead to economic crises and the destruction of wealth and resources.

Question 10

Question: How does globalization impact workers, according to Marx and Engels?

Answer 10

Answer: Marx and Engels argue that the working class, or proletarians, are the ones who are most negatively impacted by globalization and capitalist development. Their labor is often exploited for the benefit of the capitalist class, and they are often forced to work in dangerous and unhealthy conditions for low wages.

Question 11

Question: How does globalization impact national identity, according to Marx and Engels?

Answer 11

Answer: Marx and Engels argue that globalization has led to the loss of national identity and the domination of the capitalist class over all aspects of society. The pursuit of profit and economic growth has become the dominant force in shaping the world, often at the expense of social and environmental values.

Question 12

Question: What is the “cash nexus” in a capitalist society?

Answer 12

Answer: The “cash nexus” is a depersonalized relationship that exists between employees and employers in a capitalist society. Marx and Engels argue that workers are reduced to mere commodities under capitalism, and that their labor is valued only for its ability to generate profit.

Question 13

Question: How does capitalism transform families and social relationships?

Answer 13

Answer: Marx and Engels argue that capitalism transforms families and social relationships into economic arrangements, in which individuals are valued based on their ability to generate profit rather than their social or spiritual value.

Question 14

Question: What is the process of proletarianization?

Answer 14

Answer: Proletarianization is the process of leaving the countryside as peasants and moving to the city to become part of the working class. Marx and Engels argue that this process is driven by the expansion of capitalism and the destruction of traditional rural economies.

Question 15

Question: How does technological innovation impact society under capitalism?

Answer 15

Answer: Technological innovation under capitalism can destroy traditional ways of life and the livelihoods of those who benefit from them. Marx and Engels argue that this is a consequence of the constant need for capitalism to expand and find new markets.

Question 16

Question: What is the role of the state in a capitalist society, according to Marx and Engels?

Answer 16

Answer: Marx and Engels view the state as the “executive branch” of the bourgeoisie, serving to protect the interests of the capitalist class. However, they also acknowledge that other groups may have access to the government as well.

Question 17

Question: How does the growth of capitalism impact the environment and local economies?

Answer 17

Answer: The growth of capitalism has transformed local landscapes and economies, often at the expense of the environment and traditional ways of life. Marx and Engels argue that this is a consequence of the constant need to expand and find new markets.

Question 18

Question: How does the development of capitalism impact social structure?

Answer 18

Answer: Marx and Engels argue that the development of capitalism leads to changes in social structure, as new modes of production and economic relations emerge. They see this as a driving force behind historical change and the evolution of societies.

Question 19

Question: What is “creative destruction”?

Answer 19

Answer: “Creative destruction” is a concept that describes the process by which new technologies and innovations disrupt and replace existing industries and ways of life. It is a central feature of capitalism and the constant need for expansion and profit.

Question 20

Question: What is the “creative destruction” described in The Communist Manifesto?

Answer 20

Answer: In The Communist Manifesto, “creative destruction” is a central feature of capitalism, in which new technologies and innovations disrupt and replace existing industries and ways of life. This process can lead to the destruction of traditional economies and the exploitation of workers, and is driven by the constant need for capitalism to expand and find new markets.

Question 21

Question: Who is most impacted by the “creative destruction” of capitalism, according to The Communist Manifesto?

Answer 21

Answer: The working class, or proletarians, are seen as the ones who are most negatively impacted by the “creative destruction” of capitalism, as their labor is often exploited for the benefit of the capitalist class. The pursuit of profit and economic growth under capitalism can lead to the destruction of traditional ways of life and the exploitation of workers.

Question 22

Question: What are the crisis tendencies of capitalism?

Answer 22

Answer: The crisis tendencies of capitalism refer to the recurring economic crises that are a consequence of the system’s inherent drive for profit and growth. These tendencies include over-accumulation, waste, and the creation of speculative bubbles that can lead to financial and housing crises.

Question 23

Question: What is over-accumulation under capitalism?

Answer 23

Answer: Over-accumulation under capitalism occurs when there is a surplus of capital that cannot be profitably invested. This can lead to economic stagnation, unemployment, and financial crises.

Question 24

Question: What was the Great Depression, and what caused it?

Answer 24

Answer: The Great Depression was a major economic crisis that occurred in the early 20th century, and was caused by a combination of over-accumulation, waste, and speculative bubbles in the financial sector. These tendencies are inherent to capitalism, and can lead to economic stagnation, unemployment, and financial crises.

Question 25

Question: What are “speculative bubbles”?

Answer 25

Answer: “Speculative bubbles” refer to the phenomenon in which asset prices become detached from their underlying economic fundamentals, leading to a surge in demand and a rapid increase in price. They often occur in financial markets as a result of excessive speculation and risk-taking, and can lead to economic disruption and the loss of wealth and financial stability for many individuals and businesses.

Question 26

Question: What is “fictitious capital” according to Marx?

Answer 26

Answer: “Fictitious capital” is a term used by Marx to describe forms of capital that have no underlying material basis, such as stocks and bonds. These financial instruments are not directly tied to the production of goods and services, but instead derive their value from the expectation of future returns. Marx argued that the creation and trading of fictitious capital is a central feature of capitalism, and can lead to financial instability and crises.