Marx used the Manifesto as a means through which to translate his frustration at the fundamental failings of worldwide capitalism, as well as spread his own word as to the impending new system, known as communism.
He argued, along with contemporary, Frederick Engels, that the existence of 'class' exemplified the incompatability of old capitalist beliefs with the natural instincts of society; that is, the desire for total equality and an harmonious community. Class creates property, which is based upon the antagonism of capital and wage labour and Marx believed that capitalism was utilising both as forms of leverage over poorer individuals. Thus, the bourgeoisie and their methods of control had to be abandoned, in favour of a fairer society.
The Communists wished to abolish property, and in so doing, end the historical struggles of class to create 'the perfect world'. Everybody works for the sake of everybody else, perhaps somewhat of a throwback to Sir Thomas More's Utopia, or Rousseau's social contract. The Manifesto states that such a system is already in existence, (it 'haunts Europe' like a 'spectre'), and merely needs to be put into action. It sums up the key aspects of communism in the following points:
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 rights of inheritance.
4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Centralization of credit in the banks of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.
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 all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country.
10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, etc.
As was pointed out in this week's seminar, through these points, communism becomes an extremely idyllic system.
And so it proved popular. The Manifesto not only explains practical ideas in simple sentences, but it also relates and reaches out to the majority - the working class. It significantly improved the lives of those living in poverty and has since been implemented across many nations all over the world, including such larger countries as China and Russia.
But would communism work in our own society, today? The Western World often associates such policies with an underhanded evil motive, due to the lasting resonations of the Cold War. But as Marx points out, those opposed to the 'radical' beliefs of communism are simply borne upon the bourgeois mentality of old. Perhaps socialism will one day appear in the west, but I think that it could only be introduced gradually over time, due to the deep-seated capitalist roots of the last few centuries.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Marxism
Even before our last lecture, I'd found it almost impossible to escape the beliefs and ideas of Karl Marx on almost a daily basis. Marxism crops up in a variety of topics and debates, particularly when you are studying Creative Writing and Journalism for your degree, so I was intrigued to learn more about him.
What I find most remarkable in the work of Marx, what separates him from most other philosophers of the past and present, is his focus on understanding the exact mechanics of the failings of man and society. Rather than merely interpreting the world around him, he set out to show what could be done to harmonise this world. He answered the question of 'how', as well as that of 'why'.
His views are perhaps some that I do not agree with in their own right, though. Marx was greatly influenced by Hegel before him, and so much of his philosophy derives from the Hegelian theory in the pursuit of a 'perfect society'. He was thus an advocate of the process of 'Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis', however, believed that history unfolds in this manner as a result of the eternal struggles in class - perhaps the most famous belief of Karl Marx. He identified the primary struggle as that between the Bourgoise of society, (i.e. those who controlled the majority of wealth in a country), and the proleteriats, who own no individual rights over others. Marx was a well-known communist and believed the only way of defeating capitalism was to see a 'proleterian revolution', whereby the unification of classes would result in the fulfillment of society's purpose, granting entry into a 'Garden of Eden'.
Marx's views still hold strong today and I believe greatly influence the ideologies of many strong-minded politicals. For example, he described religion as a simple means to escape the reality of the world, as an 'opium of the people'. He also stated that politics itself was a method of control, whereby stronger classes could easily manipulate the poorer, weaker ones. Indeed, it may be seen why Karl Marx could have been seen as a very controversial figure to many, particularly those capitalist minds of the west, in the early twentieth century after his death.
A writer of several important works, like that on economics called 'Das Capital', his most widely known is 'The Communist Manifesto', in which he reflected on the globalisation of the Bourgoise. Marx was and still is a very complex, yet fascinating, character, but perhaps after next week's seminar and having read the 'Manifesto', we'll be able to delve a little deeper into his true political nature.
What I find most remarkable in the work of Marx, what separates him from most other philosophers of the past and present, is his focus on understanding the exact mechanics of the failings of man and society. Rather than merely interpreting the world around him, he set out to show what could be done to harmonise this world. He answered the question of 'how', as well as that of 'why'.
His views are perhaps some that I do not agree with in their own right, though. Marx was greatly influenced by Hegel before him, and so much of his philosophy derives from the Hegelian theory in the pursuit of a 'perfect society'. He was thus an advocate of the process of 'Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis', however, believed that history unfolds in this manner as a result of the eternal struggles in class - perhaps the most famous belief of Karl Marx. He identified the primary struggle as that between the Bourgoise of society, (i.e. those who controlled the majority of wealth in a country), and the proleteriats, who own no individual rights over others. Marx was a well-known communist and believed the only way of defeating capitalism was to see a 'proleterian revolution', whereby the unification of classes would result in the fulfillment of society's purpose, granting entry into a 'Garden of Eden'.
Marx's views still hold strong today and I believe greatly influence the ideologies of many strong-minded politicals. For example, he described religion as a simple means to escape the reality of the world, as an 'opium of the people'. He also stated that politics itself was a method of control, whereby stronger classes could easily manipulate the poorer, weaker ones. Indeed, it may be seen why Karl Marx could have been seen as a very controversial figure to many, particularly those capitalist minds of the west, in the early twentieth century after his death.
A writer of several important works, like that on economics called 'Das Capital', his most widely known is 'The Communist Manifesto', in which he reflected on the globalisation of the Bourgoise. Marx was and still is a very complex, yet fascinating, character, but perhaps after next week's seminar and having read the 'Manifesto', we'll be able to delve a little deeper into his true political nature.
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