The Marxist Concept Of Communism - 1735 Words

To properly understand the Marxist concept of communism, one must start where Marx himself does, with an understanding of the evolution and revolutions that created the current class system. Unlike Rousseau and Hobbes, Marx does not begin with a hypothetical human state of nature, but instead recounts the human history of hierarchy, saying, â€Å"the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles† (Marx, 14). He then traces these struggles, from ancient Rome to the problems of his own age, proving that no matter the time period or circumstances, in all recorded history the upper and lower classes have constantly been at odds. This has resulted in an ever changing power structure, the oppressed toppling their†¦show more content†¦Instead of the laborer creating a product, and then reaping the benefits of his own labor, under the bourgeoisie the worker is forced to do menial labor to create products he will never own. Marx categorizes this wo rking class as â€Å"a class of labourers, who live only so long as they can find work, and work only so long as their labour increases capital† (Marx, 18). Marx asserts that the capitalist system forces the worker to sell himself as nothing more than labor, dehumanizing and devaluing himself with every product he creates. According to Marx this causes the worker to lose all individual character and become nothing more than an appendage of the machine (Marx, 18). In Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, Marx further explains the concept of alienation, describing three main types: alienation from the product of labour, alienation from the act of production, and finally alienation from one’s own humanity. Marx begins by discussing alienation from the product of one’s labor, because it is the root of all alienation. A laborer, when creating a product, must give a part of himself to it, however, that piece of himself can never be owned by him. Therefore, it is turned into something forging to him. As a worker produces more and more he gives up more and more of himself, â€Å"the worker puts his life into the object; but now his life no longer belongs to him but to the object† (Marx, 29). However, the worker has no choice but toShow MoreRelatedCommunism And Marxist Ideologies And The Soviet Union912 Words   |  4 PagesI aim to address the reason why communism and Marxist ideologies were unsuccessfully received in post war Poland. I will be arguing *that Marxism was made into a tool of oppression by the Soviet Union, and therefore became illegitimate in itself. I intend on arguing this theory by investigating the goal of the Soviet Union. In addition to this I will identifying instances where the Soviets and communist puppet parties in Poland had strayed from traditional Marxist ideologies. 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Therefore, the individual members of this, foreign, society blend into one greater popul ist all striving to succeed the same goal. In a communist neighborhood everyone shares and there is no wealth, or poverty, no social status at all. This concept of communism comes from a man, Karl Marx, the author ofRead MoreMarx And Engels s Critique And Critique Of Capitalism1669 Words   |  7 Pagesimportant to remember that Marx and Engels lived in a very different era than today’s society, and the concept of capitalism may have arguably changed quite a lot over time. Therefore, the principles found in the Manifesto may often have to be refurnished and reapplied to fit different economic environments. The Communist Manifesto is a political pamphlet outlining the primary principles and goals of communism along with a comprehensive critique of capitalism. Primary to their argument is the proposition