For Marx, the rise of Capitalism comes from the transformation from the feudal system. This transformation occurred due to three factors: global imperialism, the emergence of civil society and the nation-state, and change in ideology (lecture 1-21). These three factors facilitated the development of mobile, free labor. There was no longer a need for a feudal lord since society was progressing towards a labor focused ideology. Specifically, “every man who wished to become a master”. Instead of working for the king, they went to guilds in large towns to learn their crafts (Marx 46-7). As the division of labor continued to progress we see the decline of guilds and the rise of big industry (Marx …show more content…
The Communist Manifesto explains how alienation of labor will reach a point where the basic means of survival will not be met by the Capitalist labor model. At this point in history, the proletariat will be guided by select middle class citizens -vanguards- who are being pushed into the Proletarian class. Led by these revolutionary professionals they would be able to bring down the bourgeoisie and institute changes. In order to reach this utopia, Marx determined that society would have to do more than just change their idea of the world as the young Hegelians suggested. Seizing power from the bourgeoisie, the laboring class will take control of the government structure and get rid of all class structures. By taking over the institutions, society can reeducate the people, so they perpetuate norms that make Capitalism distasteful. Also, it would change the economic structure and give rise to the proletariat. In the Communist Manifesto, he also explains how the reallocation of property is only beneficial to the new ruling class and by destroying ownership of property, class structures will no longer be a factor. Ultimately, the goal is to change society into what Marx calls a communist utopia (quiz