Communist Manifesto Seminar Paper

The Communist Manifesto


Communism is a social structure where classes are abolished, and property is commonly controlled, as well as being a philosophy and social movement which tries to create such a society through revolution. After reading the drafts of Engel, Karl Marx was able to write the Communist Manifesto.

The Communist Manifesto attempts to explain the goals of Communism, as well as the theory behind it all. It argued that because of the Capitalist society we live in, there is a constant struggle in terms of class, and that this has an effect on all historical developments.
Marx believed that capitalism was unstable, and the Manifesto cited that the elimination of social classes within society couldn’t happen through a change in government. Instead it was argued that a Revolution was needed.

The Manifesto is made up of four parts. The first section discusses the relationship between proletarians and bourgeoisie, and how this leads to an unfair and unstable society.
It begins by explaining how Communism has been ‘demonised’ within Europe, and describe how they have assembled in London, in order to write the manifesto in an attempt to change peoples mis-conceptions of Communism, which people like Marx thought was unfair and completely inaccurate.
Arguably the most alarming part of the first section is also the most fundamental part which is Marx’s’ belief that the general direction of history is inevitable. This is largely because of the emphasis on Economics that Marx has. He believes that history is shaped plainly by Economics, and doesn’t place any importance on elements such as culture, race, and religion.
Later on in the first section Marx goes onto to talk about the workers themselves, and states that the workers have almost become like part of the machinery itself, such is their treatment by their rulers who exploit them. He also mentions how this class of people known as the Proletarians is unique, as they can connect with each other because of what Marx describes as the miserable existence they each share. He also outlines how they are increasing in numbers, which is possibly done to encourage the readers that a revolution is a realistic target for them. This is further outlined by the way Proletariats are described as being people who have nothing to lose, because they do not possess much property themselves. However it is also clear to see that Marx feels it is important that the people are ready for revolution, which possibly explains the detail that the Communist Manifesto goes into.


The second part of the Manifesto describes the relationship between the working class, and the communists, with the main theme being that of overthrowing the Bourgeoisie, and taking over political power as a people.
This section also responds to the criticisms which have been aimed at Communism in the past, and Marx appears to have no fear of offending and responds to them rather harshly in the Manifesto.


The criticism which I found most interesting was the questioning of the communist idea of abolishing country and nationality. Marx answered by saying that the Proletariat have been robbed of their nationality, and thus don’t have it to lose. What I found interesting is that I have found working class people to be of a generally patriotic nature, but I can only assume that Marx would put this down to delusion, which is a bi-product of the capitalist society of which they are living in.
He also attacks the Bourgeoisie’s family and education based criticisms, as he believes the working class are robed of this because of industry.
In this section Marx also begins to mention what he wants to happen during the revolution, which is essentially the working class taking control, and the elimination of private property, which is when it becomes clear just how much Marx wouldn’t have seen eye to eye with the likes of John Locke!

The third section of the Manifesto looks at socialist and communist literature in a critical way. The three theories that he does a critique on are the Reactionaries, the Conservative Socialists, and the Critical Utopian Socialists.
I think it would be fair to say the one which is most relevant now is that of the Conservative Socialists because they employed ideas such as the minimum wage in a way to try and make a more balanced society and Marx dismisses it as being a way of making life as a proletariat more bearable, and thus helping capitalism. This is still relevant today in Britain because there is a minimum wage in place, and not all of the main political parties agree with the system in place. Marx also dismisses Welfare and Social Security as being attempts to benefit the capitalist system.

The fourth and final section of the Manifesto is that of the role of communism in relation to other political parties and movements, and also reveals their political agenda.
In this part they call on workers to unite as one, and fight against the capitalist society that they are supposedly forced to suffer in. They promise them that under Communism they would lead improved lives.
The manifesto ends with a rallying cry, not to dissimilar to lines which you might find in the Manfiesto’s of contemporary political parties. However they don’t simply say ‘vote for change’, it reads “working men of all countries, unite”.