Marx's Communist Manifesto and 18th Brumaire Compared

Introduction to Marx's Writings

Marx's theories mean different things to just about everyone who reads them. There are as many definitions and interpretations of his work as there are philosophers. One simple definition of Marxist theory states: "Marxism, or Scientific Socialism, is the name given to the body of ideas first worked out by Karl Marx (1818–1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820–1895). In their totality, these ideas provide a fully worked-out theoretical basis for the struggle of the working class to attain a higher form of human society — socialism" (Sewell and Woods).

Marx himself described the foundation of his theory as follows: "At the same time, through the division of labor inside these various branches, there develop various divisions among the individuals cooperating in definite kinds of labor. The relative position of these individual groups is determined by the methods employed in agriculture, industry, and commerce (patriarchalism, slavery, estates, classes). These same conditions are to be seen — given a more developed intercourse — in the relations of different nations to one another" (Marx and Bender 166).

Core Tenets of Marxist Theory

The main theme of Marxist theory is the struggle between classes and how it affects each social group in turn. Ultimately, Marx sought the destruction of the bourgeoisie — the upper class that dominates society through money and position — which he regarded as the most destructive force of his day. To attain this goal, Marx argued that people needed to relinquish private property. With everything owned in common, the division of classes would disappear, and everyone would be equal. The proletariat — the workers of the world — would come to dominate society, driven by the immense demand for labor generated by the Industrial Revolution and beyond.

As Sewell and Woods explain, "The theories of Marxism provide the thinking worker with such an understanding — a thread which is capable of leading him through the confused labyrinth of events, of the complex processes of society, of economics, of the struggle of classes, of politics. Armed with this sword, the worker can cut the Gordian knot which binds him to the mightiest obstacle in the way of the advancement of himself and his class — ignorance" (Sewell and Woods).

Marx's Background and the Industrial Revolution

Marx's background had a profound effect on his theories and beliefs. He was consistently at odds with the conservative upper class of his day, owing to his growing socialist views. As one account notes, "What were the characteristics of his day that Marx grasped as did none of his contemporaries and that have continued to dominate our historical epoch? The most important of these were his understanding that the industrial transformation then taking place would alter social life totally, and his refusal to be blinded by his contemporaries' superficially optimistic or pessimistic assessments of these new developments" (Marx and Bender 1).

Marx recognized that the Industrial Revolution would create an entirely new class of worker — one even more oppressed than the feudal laborers of medieval times or the slaves of antiquity. These new workers would toil in sweatshops for meager wages that perpetually kept them on the edge of poverty and tied to their employers for their very survival. He saw them as the dominant force in society, and potentially its ultimate undoing if left unchecked.

Conclusion: Marx's Lasting Influence

Marx is perhaps one of the most historically significant writers and philosophers of the modern era. His writings inspired revolutions and gave rise to enormous socialist states, such as the Soviet Union. His ideas remain in use today, and his words continue to resonate with anyone who feels exploited or marginalized by their employer or society at large.