The Main Ideas of Communism
The two leading critics of the capitalist system were Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
Their ideas for a “better” society were published in The Communist Manifesto in 1848.
Marx later wrote Das Kapital in 1867.
Marx’s ideas became the basis for Marxism, later to be called Communism.
Class Struggle
Every society is divided into social classes. Modern industrial society is divided into two
such classes: the bourgeoisie (who own the means of production such as factories) and
the proletariat (the working class).
Exploitation of the Workers
The wealthy bourgeoisie live off the labor of their workers. Owners cheat their workers
by taking most of the wealth they produce, leaving them with only the bare minimum
needed for survival.
Communist Revolution
Communists believed the bourgeoisie would never give up their wealth and power
peacefully. As capitalists punished their workers to produce even more, the plight of the
workers would become so desperate that they would become so desperate that they would
unite in a violent revolution.
Dictatorship of the Proletariat
After overthrowing the bourgeoisie, workers would establish a society in which they
jointly owned the means of production. All citizens would be equal, sharing the fruits of
their labor. Class struggles would end. Government would become unnecessary and
“wither away.”
Source: Killoran, Zimmer, Jarrett: Mastering Global History. New York: Jarrett Publishing. p. 186
“The Communists disdain (disregard) to conceal their views and aims. They openly
declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing
social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communist revolution. The
proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.
Workingmen of all countries, unite!”
Source: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Manifesto of the Communist Party, Moscow; Co-operative
Publishing Society of Foreign Workers in the U.S.S.R., 1935, p. 63.