Marxism Essays (651 words) - Socialism, Marxism, Social Classes

Marxism Bourgeoisie and Proletariat The first part outlines Marx's idea on history and prediction on what is yet to come. He predicts a confrontation between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, the working class and the higher class. Because of the main logic behind capitalism the bourgeoisie will seek more power and more wealth. With them doing this, the living conditions of the proletariat will decrease. Numbers of proletariat will increase as well as their political awareness, and will revolt against the bourgeoisie, and as we see today, will win. Marx breaks up society into two groups: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat The bourgeoisie were developed from the serfs. It put an end to all feudal relations where it could, and changed family relations from family to money relations. Brought about a value for all man's capabilities. Since it is a need to constantly revolutionize production methods, it therefore must scatter throughout the globe. It draws even the most barbaric nations into civilization * due to the cheap prices of its commodities forms. To sum it all up: The bourgeoisie agglomerated population, centralized means of production, and concentrated property in a few hands. Set up massive productive forces * they were valued on their quality * the better the work, the more valuable it was and vice versa. Dependant on capital. The proletariat was the middle class workers and traders. Revolt * the proletariat does not attack against the bourgeoisie, but against themselves. Their struggle leans towards the formation of a union. In the second part Marx discusses the importance of communism, and if private property is abolished, class distinctions will be as well. The second part also stresses the importance of the necessity of the proletariat and bourgeoisie being common and the level of class being the same. Communists and proletariat: Same party as the working class. Same interests as the proletariat. Communists do not with to mold the proletariat. Communist's goals are to form the proletariat into a class, and overthrow the bourgeoisie giving the proletariat the power. They do not wish, thought, to do away with property relations, generally, but only in terms of the bourgeoisie * abolition of private property. Bourgeoisie see women as a mere instrument of production. In order for the proletariat to begin the revolution, they must take away the power from the bourgeoisie and keep it for themselves. (page 42-43) lists 10 general laws for change that are applicable for all. Communism will benefit if, by means of a revolution, the proletariat closes out the bourgeoisie and takes power upon itself. * then the divisions of class will be abolished, also abolishing its own supremacy of class at the same time. Socialist and Communist literature. The third part critiques other social ideas of the modern day. Reactionary Socialism. Feudal Socialism. Criticizes that feudal methods are old and antiquated. Claims that the bourgeoisie is the offspring of the feudal society. Petty-Bourgeois socialism Combination of proletariat and bourgeois in a fully civilized society. Attempts, in a positive way, to restore the old means of production. It opened up the issues of land and labor formed by the bourgeois. German, or true, Socialism. Focused on preserving things as they were. Rid the idea of bourgeois and proletariat. Conservative, or bourgeois socialism. Want all the benefits of today, but without their struggles and dangers. Proletariat should exist, but not have hatred towards the bourgeois. In this system, the bourgeois leans for the good of the proletariat. Critical-Utopian socialism and communism. Proletariat is out for its own benefit. Position of the communist in relation to the various existing opposition parties. The fourth part discusses the differences between his political issues as opposed to those of the other oppositional parties. France * allied with social democrats Switzerland * radicals Poland * agrarian revolutionaries. Germany *against the bourgeois when it acts revolutionary. Communists support ANY revolutionary movement against any social and political order. Philosophy Essays