• Home Page
  • Alienation In The Communist Manifesto

Alienation In The Communist Manifesto

Superior Essays
Show More
In The Communist Manifesto, the oppression of the Bourgeoisie upon the proletariats results in their dehumanization. Through the exploitation of labour the proletariats diminish into a way of life that does not allow them to mindfully explore their own humanity. Proletariats will initially crave their own humanity as a means to overcome the Bourgeoisie oppression. The primary drive of a proletariat revolt lies within their need for humanization within their own self-connection and connection to each other. Labourers are alienated from craftsmanship through factory work, and thus lack in pure self-sufficiency. This alienation means the need to understand and indulge in their own humanity will advance a revolution. The material and corrupt world …show more content…
The sense that even in these conditions of exploitation the proletariats have a tendency to humanize themselves and their labour appeals to the idea of revolution concluding from self-awareness. Proletariats are set a part from the labour that they do. Machines and factory work only allows the worker to involve him or herself in a fraction of a strenuous task. The finished product is sometimes never seen, or the full value of their work is never appreciated. A labourer’s mind is set on auto-pilot, but the labourer still recognizes this as abnormal to a pleasurable experience of life and humanity. When writing about the capital the proletariat produces for the Bourgeoisie Marx and Engels say “Wage labour rests exclusively on competition between the labourers. The advance of industry…replaces the isolation of the labourers, due to competition…” (Marx & Engels, The Communist Manifesto, 11). Proletariats are not …show more content…
Alienation from work that is exploitive to their existence, and separates them from a sense of self leads to desire for revolution. Furthermore, as the sustainability of the bourgeoisie system is unreliable the class system will collapse. The proletariats will seek a way to be self-sufficient for their own well-being and their own humanity. This revolt will lead to a communist society. Finally, instead of the gap between the bourgeoisie and the proletariats expanding to the point of proletariat collapse the proletariats will find a humanity among themselves to form a new society. The life the labourers lead does not allow them to satisfy a sense of humanity that is imperative to existence, and they will reject dehumanization. Upon this rejection they will seek ways out of it, and this will finally result in the demolition of a capitalist

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    Alienated Labour In A Political Economy: Karl Marx
    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Alienated Labour In A Political Economy: Karl Marx

    When Karl Marx (2003) talks about labour in a political economy, he argues that the workers are “degraded to the most miserable sort of commodity” (p. 6)—in other words, the workers are being exploited by owners of private property. He introduces the concept of alienation, describing how workers become externalized not only from their labour and the product of their labour, but also from their species’ being and other workers. This, as a result reduces the workers’ capabilities of seeking their greatest potential, leaving them powerless.…

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    What, According To Marx In The Communist Manifesto
    • 1536 Words
    • 7 Pages

    What, According To Marx In The Communist Manifesto

    The new dominance of the bourgeoisie created a social class within the bourgeoisie, and thus the proletariat emerged (4-5). These “wage-laborers who, having no means of production of their own, are reduced to selling their labor power in order to live” (1). The creation of the proletariat was a necessary affect to bourgeoisie’s approaches of production- a superiority complex and divide for struggle naturally came about between the owners of the production and the working force (6). The bourgeois industries expanded and increased their own capital, leaving the lower class unable to compete; Now and then the workers are victorious, but only for a time” (6). This dissonance eventually caused corrosion within the structure of the proletariat, and this struggle created the revolutionary element which eventually destroyed the bourgeois oppressors: “What the bourgeoisie, therefore, produces, above all, is its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable.”…

    • 1536 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Nietzsche's 'On The Genealogy Of Morality'
    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Nietzsche's 'On The Genealogy Of Morality'

    For Marx, the bourgeoisie class controlled the manufacturing system and established “new conditions of oppression” to control the proletariat (Marx, 159-160). Therefore, a class struggle existed and it was worsening for the proletariat class as the bourgeoisie were “constantly revolutionizing the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society” (Marx, 161). However, for Marx, the exploitation of the proletariat for capital will not continue as the bourgeoisie are digging their own graves by continuing to oppress the working class (Marx, 169). Also, in contrast to Nietzsche who says that the slaves are weak and hopeless, Marx does not consider the proletariat as inherently weak. In fact, Marx is clear in stating that the “fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable” especially with the increase in the proletariat’s revolutionary consciousness (Marx, 169). Furthermore, to showcase that the proletarians are capable of responding to the bourgeoisie class through occasional revolts, Marx suggests that the proletarians “form combinations (trade unions)” and these will serve as “permanent associations” to riot against the bourgeoisie class (Marx, 166). Therefore, since proletarians are oppressed by the bourgeoisie, the bourgeoisie state, and are enslaved by the machines, Marx suggests a revolution that will physically re-constitute society or result “in the common ruin of the contending classes” (Marx, 159,…

    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Power Struggles In Matewan
    • 1365 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Power Struggles In Matewan

    The workers shooting for their freedom and identity. The bourgeois has stolen the proletariat’s of their identity, yet have given them nothing in return at the same time (no property or meaning). According to Marx, they (proletariats) are forced to perform a simple task on a daily basis that inhibits their relationships with his/her friends and family while bribing them of their purposes in life. They have nothing that they can call their own because they have been registered and treated like property their whole lives by the bourgeoisie class. Marx believed the tension between the two classes was best described as dialectical materialism; distinct economic…

    • 1365 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Labor Under Capitalism Alienated Workers In The Help, By Karl Marx
    • 953 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Labor Under Capitalism Alienated Workers In The Help, By Karl Marx

    The first idea, the alienation of the worker from the product of his labor is discussed, and with this idea the conclusion is made that the worker is unable to identify himself with the object he produces. The worker invests his labor and in a way his labor becomes an object that doesn’t belong to him. The worker isn’t able to use his creative abilities in order to produce products for himself, and as a result the worker produces products that he may not be able to initially get his hands on outside of work. Next, Marx focuses on the alienation of the worker from the activity of production. Under this idea, the worker doesn’t own the work he does, but the worker continues to do the work because he is forced to do so for someone else. The worker can’t control his working conditions or how the work is organized, so the worker’s talents and skills are waisted away. Rather, the worker does the work and loses himself within the work. The third concept is the worker’s alienation from species being. With this concept, the work that the worker does has no connection to the worker himself. Basically, the worker works with no life purpose and as a result Is disconnected from life activity. Finally, the fourth concept is the worker’s alienation from man. With this concept, the worker begins to feel alienated from the system of private property. The worker feels this way because the capitalist uses the workers labor and benefits from it by selling the product in which the worker receives little to any acknowledgment from. Also, the capitalist takes away the worker’s sense of human identity through this work. Marx’s theory to overcome communism was to abolish private property. By abolishing private property, a better society will be achieved. With there being no private property,…

    • 953 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Why Do Illegal Immigrants Enter South America
    • 1996 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Why Do Illegal Immigrants Enter South America

    This document highlights the struggle between the capitalist and the working class. Marx believed that society is made up of two classes the bourgeoisie, those who own the means of production, and the proletariat, the mass of workers who do not own the means of production.…

    • 1996 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    How Did Bourgeoisie's Have On The Proletariat
    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Did Bourgeoisie's Have On The Proletariat

    In the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engle’s led me to believe that the Proletariat’s do the work while the Bourgeoisie regulate their income and working environments. Bourgeoisie live in wealth and strive to live in a “classless society”. A classless society according to the Bourgeoisie was one with government controlled wages, benefits, and no private ownership. The relationship they share is a give and take type relationship. The proletariat’s gave while the Bourgeoisie’s took.…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Communist Manifesto Quote Analysis
    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Communist Manifesto Quote Analysis

    In The Communist Manifesto, Marx believes that the working class will overthrow the ruling capitalist class. During the Industrial Revolution in England, the two classes that become defined is the bourgeoisie, which are considered middle class and the proletariat, which are the working class. The modern industry and large capitalists took over small businesses owners, and these groups of people become part of the working class. The proletariat class is large in size compared to the bourgeoisie therefore; wages decrease for manual labor workers while profits increase for capitalist. He believed that the influence of the capitalist extended beyond where the good is produced and into many countries because this is the only way for them to increase their profits. The proletariat class will form trade unions in order to fix their current work conditions, low wages, and long workdays. Marx anticipated that a revolution would occur and the proletariat class would become the only class after the fact. Marx and Engels, “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.” This quote represented the fact that after the revolution there would only be a single class…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Bourgeois And Brooches In The Communist Manifesto By Karl Marx
    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bourgeois And Brooches In The Communist Manifesto By Karl Marx

    Marx says, “oppressor and oppressed, stood in constant opposition to one another, carried on an uninterrupted, now hidden, now open fight, a fight that each time ended in a revolutionary reconstitution of society at large” (Marx, 657). Throughout history, there had been a succession of revolutions between the bourgeois and proletarians. Each revolution led to a node their revolution that will one day lead to a communist utopia. The actions of the bourgeois will incite new feelings of discontent in the lower classes that will allow history to repeat itself…

    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Flaws Of Capitalism In The Capital, By Karl Marx
    • 1087 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Flaws Of Capitalism In The Capital, By Karl Marx

    In the capitalist system, there are two social classes: the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. The proletariat is the largest social group comprised of poor working class individuals that sell labor in exchange for wages. The bourgeoisie in comparison is a small group made up of wealthy individuals who buy labor from the working class. This is the relationship that has been described previously between the capitalist and the worker. The point of contention amidst the two stems from the unequal distribution of power and…

    • 1087 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Marxism In Fight Club
    • 1340 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Marxism In Fight Club

    Capitalism, according to Marx, is a mode of production based on private ownership of the means of production. It is a system of social relations in which labour-power is commodified and the driving force of society is the accumulation of capital. Marx theorized that economic systems result in two social classes, one of which holds the power and uses it to oppress the other. In capitalism, this is the bourgeoisie, the capitalists, who own the means of production, and the proletariat who’s labour allows the system to function and is the source of the bourgeoisie’s power. As such, the social relations of production are antagonistic. Given this power struggle class conflict is inherent. Marx’s critique of capitalism speculates that the proletariats…

    • 1340 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Karl Marx: The Dehumanization Of Labor
    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Karl Marx: The Dehumanization Of Labor

    When the products of labor and the act of labor itself no longer belong to the laborer, they belong instead to the capitalist the laborer is working for. The laborer cannot help but feel disconnected from the capitalists who own the laborer’s estranged product and labor, and therefore the laborer no longer views the capitalist as a fellow human being. Rather, the laborer feels antagonistic towards the capitalist. The laborer sees the capitalist and the system the capitalist benefits from as the cause of his…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Communist Manifesto Critical Analysis
    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Communist Manifesto Critical Analysis

    In the first preamble of the manifesto; ‘Bourgeois and Proletarians’, the authors explain the capitalist mode of production that is associated with conflicts between classes. The Bourgeois exploit and oppress the proletariat through competition and private ownership of property, including land. However, the capitalist mode of production becomes incompatible with the exploitative and oppressive relationship, contributing to the proletariat leading a revolution. On the contrary, the revolution will be different from the previous class relationships in that the new ruling class will not be driven towards reallocation of property. Instead, the new ruling class, the proletariat, when in control, will abolish the ownership of private property and the classes will disappear (Marx & Engels, 1848). Marx and Engels (1848) state the resulting conflict and revolution can be solved through the adoption of Communism, whereby there are no class distinctions in the society. In the second preamble; ‘Proletarians and Communists’, Marx and Engels explores the relationship between the communism and the working class. They state that the Communism would be organized in favor of the proletariat and focus on their interests rather than those of a specific class (Marx & Engels, 1848). They expound on the characteristics of the Communist…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Marx Theory Of Reification Analysis
    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Marx Theory Of Reification Analysis

    In order to fight for the revolution, the working class needs to become aware of its exploitation. Class consciousness will then compel the worker to overcome isolation and oppression in a capitalist society. Lukács argues that, “reification can be found in all the social forms of modern capitalism” (Lukács 1923). However, only the proletariat can rise up to challenge reification. Further, he argues that this consciousness which is situated in proletariat is due to historical circumstances. Referring to Marx’s historical dialects, he states that that, “consciousness is nothing but the expression of historical necessity” (Lukács 1923). This historical necessity of consciousness compels the proletariat to realize the contradictions and irrationality of a given capitalist society. As the proletariat becomes aware of this irrationality, it will seek to transform society as a communist state. Further, borrowing from the Master-Slave dialectic, Lukács argues that the proletariat has more power to end reification while the bourgeoise might even intensify it. This contradiction of the capitalist society is essential to its decline. This decline while not really a transformative revolution but over time will allow the proletariat to rise in power. Therefore, class consciousness is the essential characteristic of revolutionary politics. The transformation of society through the communist revolution will only arise…

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Decline Of Ancient Rome Essay
    • 2286 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Decline Of Ancient Rome Essay

    In the first stage, production grew due to increasing division of labour. However, this was not enough to meet the demands of ever-expanding markets. This resulted in the improvement of technical knowledge and henceforth mechanization became a hallmark of capitalism. Marx believed capitalist society to be divided into 2 main classes- the bourgeois or the capitalist class which owns the means of production, & the proletariat or the working class which sells its labour in the market. The capitalist operates on the profit motive & does not pay workers, drawn from the industrial reserve army, wages equivalent to the value created by them. The surplus value becomes the source of this profit. Further division of labour increases the alienation of workers in that they do not feel a sense of pride and ownership over the fruits of their labour. Marx uses the term ‘capitalist anarchy' to describe the inherent instability of the system due to constant revolutionizing of the instruments of production and its subjection to market forces. The concentration of property and wealth in the hands of a few, also leads to greater political centralization with laws being formulated in favour of the bourgeois. Marx applauded the move towards industrialization and urbanization for freeing men from the burden of traditional ties and sentiment and simplifying class antagonisms. He believed that capitalism harboured its own seeds of destruction. The concentration of labour in the workplace, combined with their increasing pauperization, would end their isolation and create consciousness of their exploitation. Their numbers would rise further due to the descent of the petty bourgeoisie into poverty. This will lead to greater polarization of the classes and eventually the working class will transform from a ‘class in itself' to a ‘class for itself'. According to Marx, all previous historical movements were led by…

    • 2286 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2023 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings