Brandon-Communist Manifesto (full text)

Marx’s Communist Manifesto is a publication that intended to clear up misconceptions about communism that were developing among the public. It was meant to explain the theories, goals, and intents of the growing communist party in a way that the public could better understand. Marx argues that up until the text’s contemporary time in history, class struggles had always been an evolving part of our economic history. It was only until this time that these class struggles and suppression of the lower class(es) was “masked” behind things like religion, and now that the people can supposedly see exactly what’s going on, a communist revolution is inevitable that will end class struggles forever. Marx spends most of the first two sections discussing this development through history, and the details of how the proletariat is oppressed and used by the bourgeoisie as a “commodity”. He then discusses the Communists’ relation to the proletariat and some of the misconceptions that have developed. The third and fourth sections consist mainly of what in simplified terms would be his proposals. The types of socialism and communism, and how he believes the progression will take place.

Marx and his party’s theories are all rooted in a very fact-based interpretation of history. However I feel that Marx failed to consider a number of other factors for the propulsion of this continuing class struggle, seeing it almost exclusively from an economic point of view. Religion, cultural factors, and probably most importantly basic human nature are things Marx did not fully consider.

Communist Manifesto 3 & 4 - Amy Lu

Several thoughts ran through my head as I was reading these chapters. The first and most prominent one was, “what?” And then the second one was, “I’m glad that I don’t have to completely understand what I’m reading and then talk about it or be tested on it.” Despite reading about Marx and communism for 3 straight weeks, I find myself not interested in it beyond knowing a general concept. Feudal, petty-bourgeois, “True”, conservative, critical-utopian socialism? Now that’s just an excessive amount of reading. Chapters 3 was a painful to read while chapter 4 was a dream. Overall I am surprised by how much Communism had spread by the time the manifesto was printed. And, in expanding my knowledge about different philosophies out in the world, knowing something about Marxist theories, communism, capitalism and socialism give me a lot of things to think. From how it influences art to history and our world today, Marxist theories are surprisingly well embedded into various aspects of my life.

Crystal Kan- Communist Manifesto (Ch. 3& 4)

Chapter three was about several different types of socialism and discussed the pros and cons of each system with historical and social contexts. It is hard to understand at a glance, but once you read through each densely packed paragraph, he does a good job explaining how each type of socialism rose and fell.

Chapter four finally explains what everyone was waiting for, the purpose behind Communism. I feel that the idea of being revolutionary and supporting those who are against the current social and political system is ludicrous. It basically means that the principles behind Communism are encouraging anarchy in every nation, no matter what the social strife may be about. However, from an academic standpoint, it is amazing because it tells people to constantly question the status quo and encourages people to change what is wrong for humanity. I think that this mindset is important for art, as we are always constantly questioning society and ourselves and using our own individual ways to solve these problems.


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Off topic, I apologize that I still have not completed a reaction for Marx for Beginners. The book came in late and I had a double header for thesis this week (glass case and discussant in the same week! oh my!) I will have the reaction up as soon as possible.

Communist Manifesto ch. 3&4 - Eric Zimmermann

While continuing this reading I was interested to see how it would progress, but it seemed to become jumbled to me in the way that it was written, and I found myself getting confused. I did however pick up on what I feel were the most important aspects of the reading: the historical social movements, and the idea that communism is the way to a better world, (this is of course debatable). The only problem with this in my opinion is that what is being sold seems to be very one sided and as with many other proposals throughout history, never really touches on the negatives of what is being proposed or discussed which in this case is communism. Aimed at the working man the idea of communism may seem great, but the inherent issues that will arise are never addressed. The ONE thing that will always be the downfall to communism and its ideas is individualism and one's own thoughts and ideas. No one person will ever want exactly the same thing as the next, our differences from one another will always be to the detriment to the idea of communism. For that reason alone it will never work, it is a flawed idea in my opinion.

Jess Adamitis Reading 8 Response

I really can only hope that the discussion will once again enlighten me as to what chapter 3 is really stating. I chose not to linger on chapter 3 and turn my attention to chapter 4 which was by far much more easy to understand because it really only states one thing. Communism fights for the working man. It is just one huge promotion that openly states what they fight for, who they fight against, and how they fight. This will allow alliances with enemies to fight a larger common threat. However, there will always be problems. Communism is not the solution to the working man. In theory it is the way of a perfect world, where all people think the same thoughts and want the same wants. But this is not our world. We are too diverse and different from one another. Ideas are destined to collide.

Danielle Kuhn

The whole first chapter of the Communist Manifesto was hard for me to read. I felt myself getting very antsy and hoping I would get near the end soon. A publication such as this is obviously going to be a bit biased, so I was prepared for that. I did find it a bit informative, but while I was also prepared to hear complaining, it just dragged on a bit too much for my taste. It didn’t serve as a very good introduction to the manifesto for me. I did get an idea though on how they assumed things would progress if no change was made. I do find myself ready to read more of the Manifesto, I have never read it on my own and I find myself wondering why I never have before.

There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion…
It is the harder because you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds…

Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Self-Reliance”
Liz Marchuk