Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ The Communist Manifesto (1848) remains one of history’s most revolutionary political texts, outlining the core tenets of communism and rallying the working class (proletariat) to overthrow capitalism. The manifesto argues that all history is defined by class struggle, with the modern era pitting the bourgeoisie (owners of capital) against the exploited proletariat. Marx and Engels predict capitalism’s inevitable collapse due to its internal contradictions, leading to a proletarian revolution, the abolition of private property, and ultimately a classless, stateless communist society. Famous for its closing cry—‘Workers of the world, unite!’—the text critiques rival socialist movements while advocating for global worker solidarity. Its analysis of inequality and critique of capitalism continue to resonate in debates about economic justice.
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Karl Marx’s Das Kapital (Critique of Political Economy) – Summary
Marx’s Das Kapital reveals capitalism’s core contradiction: it thrives on exploiting labor yet breeds its own destabilization through crises and class conflict. By prioritizing profit over people, the system—despite its productivity—creates the conditions for its revolutionary overthrow.