...Karl Marx Communist Manifesto response paper Communism is justified seemed to be the message of Karl Marx throughout his Communist Manifesto and he even provides his reasoning and examples to prove his point. Marx describes history as the constant struggle for power between the proletariats and the bourgeois, between “freeman and slave, patrician and plebian, lord and serf…oppressor and oppressed” in “a fight that each time ended in either a revolutionary re-constitution of society at large, or in the common ruin of the contending classes” (Marx, 65). And that is where the goals of the proletariats and the communists matched up. Both groups wanted to consolidate the proletariats into a class and overthrow the bourgeois and allow the proletariats to gain political power. The communists wanted to further this revolution or overthrow of dominant power by taking control over bourgeois property because their property represented in a form the exploitation of the proletariats. (Marx, 78). This is true because the workers do not gain anything from working and the products that they produce ultimately represent something that had exploited them. Communism is further validated by Marx’s defense of Communism against the claims that communism does “ill” to society. Marx claims that “communism deprives no man of the power to appropriate the products of society; all that it does it to deprive him of the power to subjugate the labour of others by means of such appropriation” (Marx, 80)...
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...country, that without these lower members of society, a country would fall apart. Marx wanted to show the world this so he laid out a plan for Communism, with ten essential points. Karl Heinrich Marx was born on May 5, 1818, in Trier in western German, the son of a successful Jewish lawyer. Marx studied law in Bonn and Berlin, but was also introduced to the ideas of Hegel and Feuerbach. In 1841, he received a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Jena. In 1843, after a short spell as editor of a liberal newspaper in Cologne, Marx and his wife Jenny moved to Paris, a hotbed of radical thought. There he became a revolutionary communist and befriended his lifelong collaborator, Friedrich Engels. Expelled from France, Marx spent two years in Brussels, where his partnership with Engels intensified. They co-authored the pamphlet 'The Communist Manifesto' which was published in 1848 and asserted that all human history had been based on class struggles, but that these would ultimately disappear with the victory of the proletariat. In 1849,...
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...“...the bourgeoisie has at last, since the establishment of Modern industry and of the worldmarket, conquered for itself, in the modern representative State, exclusive political sway…” – Karl Marx. Karl Marx in the communist manifesto, praises the Bourgeois for establishing a worldmarket, which gave birth to immense development in commerce, navigation, communication and expanding the industry. However, he also argues, that as the bourgeois continue to broaden the 22 capital market, it pushes back every other class to a lesser decreed. As the bourgeois developed, so did their political power. The bourgeois exploits the proletariat as laborers, a mere commodity to the means of production to further their own interests in establishing themselves as the dominant power. The bourgeoisie cannot exist without constantly revolutionising the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, with them the whole relations of society 24. Therefore, as the bourgeois try to maximize their profits through the mechanics of competition and free trade, nations become interdependent on each other, and the proletariat is not only from one country or region, but an international set of people. The labourers, are seen as a means of production, and therefore to maximize profit (which is the key goal of capitalists), labours are are exploited to a degree of unfair working conditions, low wages and illtreatment as their availability or supply is more than its demand...
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...Klarice Davis Josh Huber English 1000 September 2014 The Hunger Games through the Eyes of Karl Marx I grew up in a small town. Everyone knew your name and the reputation you held with it. If you had a well-regarded name in the town you had it all. Any sport you wanted to be on, you were on. Any club you wanted to participate in you were in (and probably the president too). Everything was easier for those who were ranked highly in the cast system of Sullivan, Missouri. In high school I was on dance team. There were eighteen girls, tremendous drama, and so much false security. My dance coach always favored one girl specifically. Her name was Lindsay and she was the daughter of the doctor in town. She was a very nice girl, I will admit, but her dancing skills were not up to par. About one month into my third season, our new coach announced she thought it would be a good idea to have a captain. That night all of the girls gossiped about who they thought would be the captain. We all concluded it would be the best dancer on the team, Sheri. The next day we gathered around our coach waiting anxiously for her to announce our new captain but it was not what we expected. She announced it would be Lindsay. Filled with anger, everyone began to file out the door. We had to anticipate eight months of being criticized and critiqued by a girl who could not even dance well. The first year went fluently. At times it was hard to be criticized by Lindsay but over time that did not bother...
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...Essay question: | E. Imagine you are the host of a popular TV or radio talk show. Choose at least three theorists whose work we have read for this course (e.g. Kant, Foucault, Marx and Engels, Althusser, Said, Haraway, Decartes, Bordo, Fanon, de Beauvoir, Smith, Hobbes, Locke, Mitchell, Weber, Kropotkin, Brown) to invite to your show. Ask the theorists to debate one of the following topics: (a) Antiterrorism legislation in Britain; (b) the use of stop and search powers; (c) racial and class discrimination in the criminal justice system; (d) the English Riots that took place during the summer of 2011 | Debate: | A debate on the right to revolt: The English riots that took place during the summer of 2011 | Host | Thank you for tuning into Provoke, the live show that asks the questions that provoke your thoughts and gets you thinking. My name is Alison and I will be your host tonight. Our guest panel consists of 3 influential theorists: English philosopher and physician, John Locke, who has been credited for the enlightenment thinking and the construction of social contract theory. Karl Marx and Frederick Engels (1964), who attack class distinction and the ruling class as an unjustified dominant force in society. Last but not least, Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher who wrote the essay “What is Enlightenment?”, arguing that “enlightenment is man’s release from his self-incurred tutelage” (Schmidt, 1996, p. 58).Tonight’s debate will focus on the on the English riots, which...
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...In Karl Marx’s “Communist Manifesto” he discusses the Communist Party's view on the ownership and role of private property. While in a capitalist country, such as the United States, owning private property is a good thing that may symbolize a person being very successful/working hard, the Communist party definitely saw it in a different light, Marx even goes as far as to say, “the theory of Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.” (Page 1192). While many of the other philosophers we’ve read about in class valued property and even based many of their theories around protecting property and a person’s right to it, Karl Marx has based most of his theory around the protection of workers and creating...
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...Find out what the Communist Manifesto is. Learn the main ideas of each chapter of the Manifesto, and the points of communism's political platform. Read the lesson, then take a quiz to test your new knowledge. We also recommend watching Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels: The Communist Manifesto and Balcony Scene in Romeo and Juliet: Summary, Analysis & Quiz The Communist Manifesto The Communist Manifesto is a brief publication that declares the arguments and platform of the communist party. It was was written in 1847 by political theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and was commissioned by the Communist League, a political party based in England. Summary The Communist Manifesto was published in 1848, and consists of a preamble and four chapters, which are summarized below: Bourgeois and Proletarians In this chapter, Marx famously states 'The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles'. The chapter lays out the position that the bourgeois, through competition and private ownership of land, are forever exploiting and oppressing the proletariat (working class). Marx then states that the system always results in class conflict and revolution, and should be replaced by communism -- a society without class distinctions. Proletarians and Communists This chapter explains the relationship between the communist party and other working parties, stating that the communist parties would not organize against them. The chapter also declares the...
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...other ways of modernization including communism and socialism. Those who believed that they could achieve what they wanted by gradual reform of the existing political structure were socialists while those who believed that the old order needed to be completely replaced by force were communists. Others rejected the socialist emphasis on international class politics and proposed nationalism as another alternative to individualistic capitalism. Unlike socialists or communists, nationalists believed that there was nothing inherently wrong with capitalism. They just thought it should be regulated and made to benefit the nation as a whole in addition to the few individuals who owned the means of production. In either case, political philosophies that emphasized nation and class were responses to a changing world that had uprooted old social beliefs. Communism, which is also described as "Revolutionary Proletarian Socialism" or "Marxism," is both a political and economic philosophy. The Communist Manifesto is widely regarded as the founding documents of modern communism. It provides an analysis of the limitations of capitalism and class struggle, and it presents the main principles of communist ideology in detail. Marx and Engels viewed the capitalist development which had taken hold in England, Belgium and to a certain extent France as revolutionary. It could destroy the old feudal societies which still dominated much of Europe and it could lead to...
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...ECONOMICS: CHANGES OVER THE CENTURIES LANDON COPE HISTORY 202 NOVEMBER 5, 2009 INTRODUCTION This report attempts to uncover the changing attitudes towards economics in the world over the course of several centuries. Several articles will be examined in an attempt to trade how basic attitudes, approaches, beliefs, ideas, and values concerning economics have changed over time. The articles being examined are (1) The Wealth of Nation by Adam Smith, (2) The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and (3) Japan’s Gross National Cool by Douglass McGray. The Wealth of Nations was published in 1776 and will represent the earliest of the works being examined here. Smith explains economic principles such as self-interest, supply and demand, and free marketplace. From this work we see the unraveling of capitalism and the paradigm of free trade. This work set the premise for many works to follow, including The Communist Manifesto. The Communist Manifesto is an influential political manuscript that outlines the problems with capitalism and the struggles between classes. Communism is trumpeted here, as well as conditions necessary for a transition to communism. This work was written in 1848 and represents a stark contrast to The Wealth of Nations in principle and in theory. Much has resulted from this manuscript and its ideas as can still be seen in the world today. Lastly, Japan’s Gross National Cool represents modern economic thought. Written in 2002, its...
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...ESSAY – ‘What is the Marxist theory of the state and how might it be criticised?’ Introduction Marxism first arose in 1987 when Marx and Engels were commissioned to write the manifesto for the political party of radical workers, The Communist League; this political party was formed in order to create a unity of the ‘working men’, in favour of the creation of a classless society. The purpose of The Communist Manifesto, and much of Marx’s early writings on the state, was to promote social change, in refutation to Hegel’s theory of the dialetic. This is achieved through the construction of a materialist interpretation of the state as ‘the active, conscious and official expression (of) the present structure of society' (Collected Works, 3, p. 199). Marx’s ultimate aim was to “lay bare the economic law of motion of modern society.” (Marx, Capital [1867] 1965, p10), which is to… This essay will explain and analyse Marx’s theory of state, a nd assess the legitimacy of the theory through criticisms. Marx’s theory of history/state: History is a study of past events in human affairs; Marx believes that historical events are driven forward by changing economic factors within the ‘base’ of society. According to Marx, human society is made up of two measures: a base and a superstructure. The superstructure is the set of 'non-economic institutions whose character is explained by the nature of the economic structure (the base).' (G. A. Cohen Karl Marx's Theory of History: A Defence pp 216...
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...A comparison between Adam Smith and Karl Marx The purpose of this essay is to evaluate and discuss how economists Adam Smith and Karl Marx contributed to current management practices and, more specifically, how they influenced the field of economics. Through critical analysis, we will explore the theories of Adam Smith and Karl Marx. Adam Smith’s contributions, from division of labor and the shift from a mercantile society to a capitalistic one as proposed in his “Wealth of nations report,” will be critically evaluated as to determine both their relevance today and the influence that they have had. Similarly, Karl Marx’s theories that helped to develop the economy in its most prosperous time will be critically evaluated to determine their influence and relevancy today. Although very distant in their theories and time, both men have played key roles in the development of economics, while in turn influencing current management practices. Both men were able to change and introduce new philosophies while reacting to the circumstances of their times, while creating legacies through their works that are still relevant in today’s vastly different circumstances and society. Adam Smith Scottish economist Adam Smith, born in 1723, is responsible for the initial development of economics in the eighteenth century and provided the framework for how we approach economic issues today. Smith was an “advocate for a free market society where international trade through both imports...
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..."Unless we accept the claim that Leninism gave birth to an entirely new state, and indeed to a new era in the history of mankind, we must recognize in today Soviet Union the old empire of the Russians -- the only empire that survived into the mid 1980's" (Luttwak, 1). In their Communist Manifesto of 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels applied the term communism to a final stage of socialism in which all class differences would disappear and humankind would live in harmony. Marx and Engels claimed to have discovered a scientific approach to socialism based on the laws of history. They declared that the course of history was determined by the clash of opposing forces rooted in the economic system and the ownership of property. Just as the feudal system had given way to capitalism, so in time capitalism would give way to socialism. The class struggle of the future would be between the bourgeoisie, who were the capitalist employers, and the proletariat, who were the workers. The struggle would end, according to Marx, in the socialist revolution and the attainment of full communism (Groiler's Encyclopedia). Socialism, of which "Marxism-Leninism" is a takeoff, originated in the West. Designed in France and Germany, it was brought into Russia in the middle of the nineteenth century and promptly attracted support among the country's educated, public-minded elite, who at that time were called intelligentsia (Pipes, 21). After Revolution broke out over Europe in 1848 the modern working...
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...that society is in conflict between the rich who control everything and the poor who must work for the rich and gain little in reward for their work. • The rich are able to maintain their position of power through control of the law, the police and other forms of authority. • The rich also control the manufacture of ideas about society through controlling the media and education so poor people are taught to believe that capitalism is a good thing. Key questions (AO1) What is the Marxist view of society? (AO1) What causes inequality according to Marxists? (AO2) What are the strengths of the Marxist view? (AO2) What are the weaknesses of the Marxist view of inequality? Summary of Key Points Karl Marx (1818 - 1883) was an economist, philosopher and journalist who was motivated by concern for workers who were experiencing terrible poverty while all around was great wealth and power. He was a revolutionary who believed in working for a classless society. Marxism was not a powerful force in sociology until the 1960s and 1970s when it formed the basis of a challenge to functionalism. It offered a better account of the divisions of society at that time than functional sociology did. Marxism also triggered many of the ideas that were adopted by feminists later in the 1970s. Marxism is often referred to as a conflict theory. Functionalists see society as consisting of shared values. Marxists see society as being...
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...Definitional activity (covering Power, Authority, and Legitimacy) There is no universally accepted view of power. Some authors have defined power as domination over others (Hobbes, 1651) while others defined it as a passage to achieve goals (Parsons, 1963). Some look to where power lies to define power from where power lies in the hands of many, this can be seen as Pluralism (Dahl, 1957) to where power lies in the hands of a few, this can be seen as Elitism (Pareto, 1935) but essentially it is the ability to do something For example, in the UK system, there are many accounts of both Elitism and Pluralism but realistically, we live in an Elitist state. The definition of authority is based on the power or right to act in a particular way and to influence others. To excise authority, consent is needed. Some may argue that there are three types of authority: charismatic authority, traditional authority and rational-legal authority (Weber, 1958). It can be argued that authority is used to excise social control (McLaughlin, 2008) and even that we, as humans, need authority in order to live (Seligman, 2003). An example of authority in the UK system could be the Prime Minister, as he has the power to “give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience” (Collins English Dictionary, 2009). The definition of legitimacy has many forms and shapes but some may argue that it derives from something that is right and proper. “Legitimacy has both a normative and a sociological meaning” (Keohane...
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...Terms: Pluralism- existence of different groups within society: the existence of groups with different ethnic, religious, or political backgrounds within one society SOCIOLOGY social policy and theory: the policy or theory that minority groups within a society should maintain cultural differences, but share overall political and economic power Tyranny- A government in which a single ruler is vested with absolute power. arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority. Absolutism – political system: a political system in which the power of a ruler is unchecked and absolute theory of objective values: a philosophical theory in which values such as truth or morality are absolute and not conditional upon human perception something absolute: a standard, principle, or theory that is absolute Utilitarianism: ethical doctrine of greatest good: the ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action doctrine based on value of usefulness: the doctrine that the value of an action or an object lies in usefulness utilitarian quality: the quality of being designed primarily for practical use rather than beauty Libertarianism: advocate of individual responsibility: somebody who believes in the doctrine of free will advocate of individual freedom: somebody who believes in the principle that people should have complete freedom of thought and action Categorical Imperative: Kantian...
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