The Communist Manifesto

1. History is a Class Struggle: The Engine of Societal Change

The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.

Constant conflict. Throughout history, societies have been defined by the conflict between different classes, such as freeman and slave, lord and serf, and guild-master and journeyman. These struggles are not random but are the driving force behind societal change, leading to either revolutionary transformation or the mutual ruin of the contending classes.

Evolution of classes. Each historical epoch has its own unique class structure, with varying degrees of social rank and hierarchy. For example:

• Ancient Rome: Patricians, knights, plebeians, slaves
• Middle Ages: Feudal lords, vassals, guild-masters, journeymen, apprentices, serfs
• Modern Era: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

Class struggle as a constant. This conflict is not a temporary phenomenon but a continuous process, sometimes hidden and sometimes open, that shapes the course of history. It is the fundamental dynamic that propels societies forward, or leads to their collapse.

2. Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat: The Core Conflict of Capitalism

Our epoch, the epoch of the bourgeoisie, possesses, however, this distinctive feature: it has simplified the class antagonisms: Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile camps, into two great classes, directly facing each other: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat.

Simplified class structure. Capitalism has simplified class antagonisms, reducing society to two main classes: the bourgeoisie (owners of capital) and the proletariat (wage laborers). This simplification intensifies the conflict between these two groups.

Bourgeoisie's rise. The bourgeoisie emerged from the ruins of feudal society, driven by the discovery of new markets and the development of new modes of production. They revolutionized industry and commerce, accumulating vast wealth and power.

• Discovery of America and the rounding of the Cape
• Rise of manufacturing and modern industry
• Establishment of the world market

Proletariat's dependence. The proletariat, on the other hand, is entirely dependent on the bourgeoisie for their livelihood, selling their labor as a commodity. This dependence creates a fundamental imbalance of power and fuels the class struggle.

3. Capitalism's Revolutionary Yet Self-Destructive Nature

The bourgeoisie cannot exist without constantly revolutionizing the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society.

Constant revolution. Capitalism is inherently revolutionary, constantly transforming the means of production, social relations, and the entire fabric of society. This constant change is driven by the bourgeoisie's need for profit and expansion.

Capitalism's achievements. The bourgeoisie has achieved remarkable feats, including:

• Subjugation of nature's forces
• Development of machinery and technology
• Creation of a global market
• Unprecedented productive forces

Internal contradictions. However, capitalism is also inherently self-destructive, creating the conditions for its own downfall. The system is prone to crises of overproduction, where the productive forces outgrow the capacity of the market to absorb them. This leads to economic instability and social unrest.

4. The Proletariat's Inevitable Rise and Revolutionary Role

But not only has the bourgeoisie forged the weapons that bring death to itself; it has also called into existence the men who are to wield those weapons — the modern working class — the proletarians.

Proletariat's creation. The bourgeoisie, in its pursuit of profit, has created the proletariat, the very class that will ultimately overthrow it. The proletariat is a product of modern industry, forced to sell its labor to survive.

Proletariat's development. As capitalism develops, the proletariat grows in number, becomes more concentrated, and develops a class consciousness. They begin to organize themselves into trade unions and political parties, recognizing their shared interests and their opposition to the bourgeoisie.

• Initial struggles against individual capitalists
• Formation of trade unions
• Development of class consciousness

Revolutionary potential. The proletariat is the only truly revolutionary class, as it has nothing to lose but its chains. They are destined to overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a new social order.

5. Communism: Abolition of Private Property and Class

In this sense, the theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property.

Abolition of bourgeois property. Communism is not about abolishing all forms of property but specifically bourgeois private property, which is the basis of capitalist exploitation. This form of property allows the bourgeoisie to control the means of production and extract surplus value from the labor of the proletariat.

Socialization of capital. Under communism, capital will be converted into common property, owned by all members of society. This will eliminate the class character of property and ensure that the means of production are used for the benefit of all, not just a privileged few.

• Capital as a social power
• Elimination of class character of property
• Production for the common good

End of exploitation. The abolition of private property will end the exploitation of labor and create a society where everyone contributes according to their ability and receives according to their needs.

6. The Communist Vision: A Classless, Stateless Society

In place of the old bourgeois society, with its classes and class antagonisms, we shall have an association, in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.

Classless society. The ultimate goal of communism is to create a classless society, where there is no longer any division between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. This will eliminate the source of social conflict and inequality.

Stateless society. With the abolition of class, the state, which is seen as an instrument of class oppression, will also wither away. The state will be replaced by a voluntary association of individuals, working together for the common good.

• Withering away of the state
• Voluntary association of individuals
• Cooperation and mutual aid

Free development of all. In a communist society, the free development of each individual will be the condition for the free development of all. This means that everyone will have the opportunity to realize their full potential, without being limited by class or economic constraints.

7. Critique of Other Socialisms: Feudal, Petty-Bourgeois, and German

Nothing is easier than to give Christian asceticism a Socialist tinge.

Feudal Socialism. This form of socialism is a reactionary attempt by the aristocracy to regain their lost power by appealing to the working class. However, they are ultimately incapable of understanding the modern world and are more interested in restoring the old order.

• Aristocratic critique of the bourgeoisie
• Nostalgia for the feudal past
• Inability to grasp modern history

Petty-Bourgeois Socialism. This form of socialism represents the interests of the small shopkeepers and peasants, who are being crushed by the rise of capitalism. They seek to restore the old means of production and are ultimately reactionary and utopian.

• Critique of capitalism from a small-business perspective
• Desire to return to pre-industrial society
• Ultimately reactionary and utopian

German or "True" Socialism. This form of socialism is a philosophical abstraction that ignores the real social conditions of Germany. It is a form of intellectual masturbation that serves the interests of the German petty-bourgeoisie.

• Philosophical abstraction of French socialism
• Ignorance of German social conditions
• Serves the interests of the petty-bourgeoisie

8. The Communist Call to Action: Workers of All Countries, Unite!

Working men of all countries, unite!

International solidarity. The proletariat is an international class, with shared interests that transcend national boundaries. The struggle against capitalism is a global struggle, requiring the solidarity of workers from all countries.

Revolutionary action. The proletariat must unite and overthrow the bourgeoisie through revolutionary action. This is the only way to achieve a classless society and end the exploitation of labor.

• Overthrow of the bourgeoisie
• Establishment of a proletarian dictatorship
• Creation of a communist society

Historical inevitability. The victory of the proletariat is historically inevitable. Capitalism is a self-destructive system that will ultimately be replaced by communism. The call to action is a call to embrace this historical destiny and fight for a better future.

Last updated: January 22, 2025