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Communist Manifesto

Written: Late 1847;First Published: February 1848;

Source: Marx/Engels Selected Works, Vol !ne, "rogress "ubl#s$ers, Mosco%,

1&'&, (( &8)1*7;

Translated: Sa+uel Moore #n coo(erat#on %#t$ Freder#ck Engels, 1888;

Transcription/Markup: od#ac and -r#an -agg#ns;

Proofed: and corrected aga#nst 1888 Engl#s$ Ed#t#on by .ndy -lunden 004;

Copyleft: Marx/Engels nternet .rc$#2e 3+arx#stsorg 1&87, 000 "er+#ss#on #s

granted to co(y and/or d#str#bute t$#s docu+ent under t$e ter+s o5 t$e 6reat#2e

6o++ons .ttr#but#on)S$are.l#ke L#cense

Contents

"rea+ble

-ourgeo#s and "roletar#ans

"roletar#ans and 6o++un#sts

Soc#al#st and 6o++un#st L#terature

V "os#t#on o5 t$e 6o++un#sts #n elat#on to t$e Var#ous Ex#st#ng !((os#t#on "art#es

Manifesto of the Communist Party

. s(ectre #s $aunt#ng Euro(e 9 t$e s(ectre o5 co++un#s+ .ll t$e (o%ers o5 old Euro(e $a2e entered

#nto a $oly all#ance to exorc#se t$#s s(ectre "o(e and :sar, Mettern#c$ and u#<ot, Frenc$ ad#cals and

er+an (ol#ce)s(#es

W$ere #s t$e (arty #n o((os#t#on t$at $as not been decr#ed as co++un#st#c by #ts o((onents #n (o%er=

W$ere #s t$e o((os#t#on t$at $as not $urled back t$e brand#ng re(roac$ o5 co++un#s+, aga#nst t$e +oread2anced o((os#t#on (art#es, as %ell as aga#nst #ts react#onary ad2ersar#es=:%o t$#ngs result 5ro+ t$#s 5act

6o++un#s+ #s already ackno%ledged by all Euro(ean (o%ers to be #tsel5 a (o%er

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t #s $#g$ t#+e t$at 6o++un#sts s$ould o(enly, #n t$e 5ace o5 t$e %$ole %orld, (ubl#s$ t$e#r 2#e%s, t$e#r

a#+s, t$e#r tendenc#es, and +eet t$#s nursery tale o5 t$e S(ectre o5 6o++un#s+ %#t$ a +an#5esto o5 t$e

(arty #tsel5

:o t$#s end, 6o++un#sts o5 2ar#ous nat#onal#t#es $a2e asse+bled #n London and sketc$ed t$e 5ollo%#ng

+an#5esto, to be (ubl#s$ed #n t$e Engl#s$, Frenc$, er+an, tal#an, Fle+#s$ and >an#s$ languages

Chapter I. Bourgeois and Proletarians(

:$e $#story o5 all $#t$erto ex#st#ng soc#ety(2) #s t$e $#story o5 class struggles

Free+an and sla2e, (atr#c#an and (lebe#an, lord and ser5, gu#ld)+aster (3) and ?ourney+an, #n a %ord,

o((ressor and o((ressed, stood #n constant o((os#t#on to one anot$er, carr#ed on an un#nterru(ted, no%

$#dden, no% o(en 5#g$t, a 5#g$t t$at eac$ t#+e ended, e#t$er #n a re2olut#onary reconst#tut#on o5 soc#ety at

large, or #n t$e co++on ru#n o5 t$e contend#ng classes

n t$e earl#er e(oc$s o5 $#story, %e 5#nd al+ost e2ery%$ere a co+(l#cated arrange+ent o5 soc#ety #nto

2ar#ous orders, a +an#5old gradat#on o5 soc#al rank n anc#ent o+e %e $a2e (atr#c#ans, kn#g$ts,

(lebe#ans, sla2es; #n t$e M#ddle .ges, 5eudal lords, 2assals, gu#ld)+asters, ?ourney+en, a((rent#ces, ser5s;

#n al+ost all o5 t$ese classes, aga#n, subord#nate gradat#ons

:$e +odern bourgeo#s soc#ety t$at $as s(routed 5ro+ t$e ru#ns o5 5eudal soc#ety $as not done a%ay %#t$

class antagon#s+s t $as but establ#s$ed ne% classes, ne% cond#t#ons o5 o((ress#on, ne% 5or+s o5 struggle

#n (lace o5 t$e old ones

!ur e(oc$, t$e e(oc$ o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e, (ossesses, $o%e2er, t$#s d#st#nct 5eature #t $as s#+(l#5#ed class

antagon#s+s Soc#ety as a %$ole #s +ore and +ore s(l#tt#ng u( #nto t%o great $ost#le ca+(s, #nto t%o great

classes d#rectly 5ac#ng eac$ ot$er 9 -ourgeo#s#e and "roletar#at

Fro+ t$e ser5s o5 t$e M#ddle .ges s(rang t$e c$artered burg$ers o5 t$e earl#est to%ns Fro+ t$ese

burgesses t$e 5#rst ele+ents o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e %ere de2elo(ed

:$e d#sco2ery o5 .+er#ca, t$e round#ng o5 t$e 6a(e, o(ened u( 5res$ ground 5or t$e r#s#ng bourgeo#s#e

:$e East)nd#an and 6$#nese +arkets, t$e colon#sat#on o5 .+er#ca, trade %#t$ t$e colon#es, t$e #ncrease #n

t$e +eans o5 exc$ange and #n co++od#t#es generally, ga2e to co++erce, to na2#gat#on, to #ndustry, an

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#+(ulse ne2er be5ore kno%n, and t$ereby, to t$e re2olut#onary ele+ent #n t$e totter#ng 5eudal soc#ety, a

ra(#d de2elo(+ent

:$e 5eudal syste+ o5 #ndustry, #n %$#c$ #ndustr#al (roduct#on %as +ono(ol#sed by closed gu#lds, no% no

longer su55#ced 5or t$e gro%#ng %ants o5 t$e ne% +arkets :$e +anu5actur#ng syste+ took #ts (lace :$e

gu#ld)+asters %ere (us$ed on one s#de by t$e +anu5actur#ng +#ddle class; d#2#s#on o5 labour bet%een t$e

d#55erent cor(orate gu#lds 2an#s$ed #n t$e 5ace o5 d#2#s#on o5 labour #n eac$ s#ngle %orks$o(

Meant#+e t$e +arkets ke(t e2er gro%#ng, t$e de+and e2er r#s#ng E2en +anu5acturer no longer su55#ced

:$ereu(on, stea+ and +ac$#nery re2olut#on#sed #ndustr#al (roduct#on :$e (lace o5 +anu5acture %as

taken by t$e g#ant, Modern ndustry; t$e (lace o5 t$e #ndustr#al +#ddle class by #ndustr#al +#ll#ona#res, t$e

leaders o5 t$e %$ole #ndustr#al ar+#es, t$e +odern bourgeo#s

Modern #ndustry $as establ#s$ed t$e %orld +arket, 5or %$#c$ t$e d#sco2ery o5 .+er#ca (a2ed t$e %ay

:$#s +arket $as g#2en an #++ense de2elo(+ent to co++erce, to na2#gat#on, to co++un#cat#on by land

:$#s de2elo(+ent $as, #n #ts turn, reacted on t$e extens#on o5 #ndustry; and #n (ro(ort#on as #ndustry,

co++erce, na2#gat#on, ra#l%ays extended, #n t$e sa+e (ro(ort#on t$e bourgeo#s#e de2elo(ed, #ncreased #ts

ca(#tal, and (us$ed #nto t$e background e2ery class $anded do%n 5ro+ t$e M#ddle .ges

We see, t$ere5ore, $o% t$e +odern bourgeo#s#e #s #tsel5 t$e (roduct o5 a long course o5 de2elo(+ent, o5 a

ser#es o5 re2olut#ons #n t$e +odes o5 (roduct#on and o5 exc$ange

Eac$ ste( #n t$e de2elo(+ent o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e %as acco+(an#ed by a corres(ond#ng (ol#t#cal ad2ance o5

t$at class .n o((ressed class under t$e s%ay o5 t$e 5eudal nob#l#ty, an ar+ed and sel5)go2ern#ng

assoc#at#on #n t$e +ed#e2al co++une(4) $ere #nde(endent urban re(ubl#c 3as #n taly and er+any; t$ere

taxable @t$#rd estateA o5 t$e +onarc$y 3as #n France; a5ter%ards, #n t$e (er#od o5 +anu5actur#ng (ro(er,

ser2#ng e#t$er t$e se+#)5eudal or t$e absolute +onarc$y as a counter(o#se aga#nst t$e nob#l#ty, and, #n 5act,

cornerstone o5 t$e great +onarc$#es #n general, t$e bourgeo#s#e $as at last, s#nce t$e establ#s$+ent o5

Modern ndustry and o5 t$e %orld +arket, conBuered 5or #tsel5, #n t$e +odern re(resentat#2e State,

exclus#2e (ol#t#cal s%ay :$e execut#2e o5 t$e +odern state #s but a co++#ttee 5or +anag#ng t$e co++on

a55a#rs o5 t$e %$ole bourgeo#s#e

:$e bourgeo#s#e, $#stor#cally, $as (layed a +ost re2olut#onary (art





:$e bourgeo#s#e, %$ere2er #t $as got t$e u((er $and, $as (ut an end to all 5eudal, (atr#arc$al, #dyll#c

relat#ons t $as (#t#lessly torn asunder t$e +otley 5eudal t#es t$at bound +an to $#s @natural su(er#orsA,

and $as le5t re+a#n#ng no ot$er nexus bet%een +an and +an t$an naked sel5)#nterest, t$an callous @cas$

(ay+entA t $as dro%ned t$e +ost $ea2enly ecstas#es o5 rel#g#ous 5er2our, o5 c$#2alrous ent$us#as+, o5

($#l#st#ne sent#+ental#s+, #n t$e #cy %ater o5 egot#st#cal calculat#on t $as resol2ed (ersonal %ort$ #nto

exc$ange 2alue, and #n (lace o5 t$e nu+berless #nde5eas#ble c$artered 5reedo+s, $as set u( t$at s#ngle,

unconsc#onable 5reedo+ 9 Free :rade n one %ord, 5or ex(lo#tat#on, 2e#led by rel#g#ous and (ol#t#cal

#llus#ons, #t $as subst#tuted naked, s$a+eless, d#rect, brutal ex(lo#tat#on

:$e bourgeo#s#e $as str#((ed o5 #ts $alo e2ery occu(at#on $#t$erto $onoured and looked u( to %#t$

re2erent a%e t $as con2erted t$e ($ys#c#an, t$e la%yer, t$e (r#est, t$e (oet, t$e +an o5 sc#ence, #nto #ts

(a#d %age labourers

:$e bourgeo#s#e $as torn a%ay 5ro+ t$e 5a+#ly #ts sent#+ental 2e#l, and $as reduced t$e 5a+#ly relat#on to

a +ere +oney relat#on

:$e bourgeo#s#e $as d#sclosed $o% #t ca+e to (ass t$at t$e brutal d#s(lay o5 2#gour #n t$e M#ddle .ges,

%$#c$ react#onar#es so +uc$ ad+#re, 5ound #ts 5#tt#ng co+(le+ent #n t$e +ost slot$5ul #ndolence t $as

been t$e 5#rst to s$o% %$at +anCs act#2#ty can br#ng about t $as acco+(l#s$ed %onders 5ar sur(ass#ng

Egy(t#an (yra+#ds, o+an aBueducts, and ot$#c cat$edrals; #t $as conducted ex(ed#t#ons t$at (ut #n t$e

s$ade all 5or+er Exoduses o5 nat#ons and crusades

:$e bourgeo#s#e cannot ex#st %#t$out constantly re2olut#on#s#ng t$e #nstru+ents o5 (roduct#on, and t$ereby

t$e relat#ons o5 (roduct#on, and %#t$ t$e+ t$e %$ole relat#ons o5 soc#ety 6onser2at#on o5 t$e old +odes o5

(roduct#on #n unaltered 5or+, %as, on t$e contrary, t$e 5#rst cond#t#on o5 ex#stence 5or all earl#er #ndustr#al

classes 6onstant re2olut#on#s#ng o5 (roduct#on, un#nterru(ted d#sturbance o5 all soc#al cond#t#ons,

e2erlast#ng uncerta#nty and ag#tat#on d#st#ngu#s$ t$e bourgeo#s e(oc$ 5ro+ all earl#er ones .ll 5#xed, 5ast)

5ro<en relat#ons, %#t$ t$e#r tra#n o5 anc#ent and 2enerable (re?ud#ces and o(#n#ons, are s%e(t a%ay, all

ne%)5or+ed ones beco+e ant#Buated be5ore t$ey can oss#5y .ll t$at #s sol#d +elts #nto a#r, all t$at #s $oly

#s (ro5aned, and +an #s at last co+(elled to 5ace %#t$ sober senses $#s real cond#t#ons o5 l#5e, and $#s

relat#ons %#t$ $#s k#nd

:$e need o5 a constantly ex(and#ng +arket 5or #ts (roducts c$ases t$e bourgeo#s#e o2er t$e ent#re sur5ace

o5 t$e globe t +ust nestle e2ery%$ere, settle e2ery%$ere, establ#s$ connex#ons e2ery%$ere



:$e bourgeo#s#e $as t$roug$ #ts ex(lo#tat#on o5 t$e %orld +arket g#2en a cos+o(ol#tan c$aracter to

(roduct#on and consu+(t#on #n e2ery country :o t$e great c$agr#n o5 eact#on#sts, #t $as dra%n 5ro+

under t$e 5eet o5 #ndustry t$e nat#onal ground on %$#c$ #t stood .ll old)establ#s$ed nat#onal #ndustr#es

$a2e been destroyed or are da#ly be#ng destroyed :$ey are d#slodged by ne% #ndustr#es, %$ose

#ntroduct#on beco+es a l#5e and deat$ Buest#on 5or all c#2#l#sed nat#ons, by #ndustr#es t$at no longer %ork

u( #nd#genous ra% +ater#al, but ra% +ater#al dra%n 5ro+ t$e re+otest <ones; #ndustr#es %$ose (roducts

are consu+ed, not only at $o+e, but #n e2ery Buarter o5 t$e globe n (lace o5 t$e old %ants, sat#s5#ed by

t$e (roduct#on o5 t$e country, %e 5#nd ne% %ants, reBu#r#ng 5or t$e#r sat#s5act#on t$e (roducts o5 d#stant

lands and cl#+es n (lace o5 t$e old local and nat#onal seclus#on and sel5)su55#c#ency, %e $a2e #ntercourse

#n e2ery d#rect#on, un#2ersal #nter)de(endence o5 nat#ons .nd as #n +ater#al, so also #n #ntellectual

(roduct#on :$e #ntellectual creat#ons o5 #nd#2#dual nat#ons beco+e co++on (ro(erty Dat#onal one)

s#dedness and narro%)+#ndedness beco+e +ore and +ore #+(oss#ble, and 5ro+ t$e nu+erous nat#onal

and local l#teratures, t$ere ar#ses a %orld l#terature

:$e bourgeo#s#e, by t$e ra(#d #+(ro2e+ent o5 all #nstru+ents o5 (roduct#on, by t$e #++ensely 5ac#l#tated

+eans o5 co++un#cat#on, dra%s all, e2en t$e +ost barbar#an, nat#ons #nto c#2#l#sat#on :$e c$ea( (r#ces o5

co++od#t#es are t$e $ea2y art#llery %#t$ %$#c$ #t batters do%n all 6$#nese %alls, %#t$ %$#c$ #t 5orces t$e

barbar#ansC #ntensely obst#nate $atred o5 5ore#gners to ca(#tulate t co+(els all nat#ons, on (a#n o5

ext#nct#on, to ado(t t$e bourgeo#s +ode o5 (roduct#on; #t co+(els t$e+ to #ntroduce %$at #t calls

c#2#l#sat#on #nto t$e#r +#dst, #e, to beco+e bourgeo#s t$e+sel2es n one %ord, #t creates a %orld a5ter #ts

o%n #+age

:$e bourgeo#s#e $as sub?ected t$e country to t$e rule o5 t$e to%ns t $as created enor+ous c#t#es, $as

greatly #ncreased t$e urban (o(ulat#on as co+(ared %#t$ t$e rural, and $as t$us rescued a cons#derable

(art o5 t$e (o(ulat#on 5ro+ t$e #d#ocy o5 rural l#5e ust as #t $as +ade t$e country de(endent on t$e to%ns,

so #t $as +ade barbar#an and se+#)barbar#an countr#es de(endent on t$e c#2#l#sed ones, nat#ons o5 (easants

on nat#ons o5 bourgeo#s, t$e East on t$e West

:$e bourgeo#s#e kee(s +ore and +ore do#ng a%ay %#t$ t$e scattered state o5 t$e (o(ulat#on, o5 t$e +eans

o5 (roduct#on, and o5 (ro(erty t $as agglo+erated (o(ulat#on, central#sed t$e +eans o5 (roduct#on, and

$as concentrated (ro(erty #n a 5e% $ands :$e necessary conseBuence o5 t$#s %as (ol#t#cal central#sat#on

nde(endent, or but loosely connected (ro2#nces, %#t$ se(arate #nterests, la%s, go2ern+ents, and syste+s



o5 taxat#on, beca+e lu+(ed toget$er #nto one nat#on, %#t$ one go2ern+ent, one code o5 la%s, one nat#onal

class)#nterest, one 5ront#er, and one custo+s)tar#55

:$e bourgeo#s#e, dur#ng #ts rule o5 scarce one $undred years, $as created +ore +ass#2e and +ore colossal

(roduct#2e 5orces t$an $a2e all (reced#ng generat#ons toget$er Sub?ect#on o5 DatureCs 5orces to +an,

+ac$#nery, a((l#cat#on o5 c$e+#stry to #ndustry and agr#culture, stea+)na2#gat#on, ra#l%ays, electr#c

telegra($s, clear#ng o5 %$ole cont#nents 5or cult#2at#on, canal#sat#on o5 r#2ers, %$ole (o(ulat#ons con?ured

out o5 t$e ground 9 %$at earl#er century $ad e2en a (resent#+ent t$at suc$ (roduct#2e 5orces slu+bered

#n t$e la( o5 soc#al labour=

We see t$en t$e +eans o5 (roduct#on and o5 exc$ange, on %$ose 5oundat#on t$e bourgeo#s#e bu#lt #tsel5

u(, %ere generated #n 5eudal soc#ety .t a certa#n stage #n t$e de2elo(+ent o5 t$ese +eans o5 (roduct#on

and o5 exc$ange, t$e cond#t#ons under %$#c$ 5eudal soc#ety (roduced and exc$anged, t$e 5eudal

organ#sat#on o5 agr#culture and +anu5actur#ng #ndustry, #n one %ord, t$e 5eudal relat#ons o5 (ro(erty

beca+e no longer co+(at#ble %#t$ t$e already de2elo(ed (roduct#2e 5orces; t$ey beca+e so +any 5etters

:$ey $ad to be burst asunder; t$ey %ere burst asunder

nto t$e#r (lace ste((ed 5ree co+(et#t#on, acco+(an#ed by a soc#al and (ol#t#cal const#tut#on ada(ted #n #t,

and t$e econo+#c and (ol#t#cal s%ay o5 t$e bourgeo#s class

. s#+#lar +o2e+ent #s go#ng on be5ore our o%n eyes Modern bourgeo#s soc#ety, %#t$ #ts relat#ons o5

(roduct#on, o5 exc$ange and o5 (ro(erty, a soc#ety t$at $as con?ured u( suc$ g#gant#c +eans o5 (roduct#on

and o5 exc$ange, #s l#ke t$e sorcerer %$o #s no longer able to control t$e (o%ers o5 t$e net$er %orld %$o+

$e $as called u( by $#s s(ells For +any a decade (ast t$e $#story o5 #ndustry and co++erce #s but t$e

$#story o5 t$e re2olt o5 +odern (roduct#2e 5orces aga#nst +odern cond#t#ons o5 (roduct#on, aga#nst t$e

(ro(erty relat#ons t$at are t$e cond#t#ons 5or t$e ex#stence o5 t$e bourgeo#s and o5 #ts rule t #s enoug$ to

+ent#on t$e co++erc#al cr#ses t$at by t$e#r (er#od#cal return (ut t$e ex#stence o5 t$e ent#re bourgeo#s

soc#ety on #ts tr#al, eac$ t#+e +ore t$reaten#ngly n t$ese cr#ses, a great (art not only o5 t$e ex#st#ng

(roducts, but also o5 t$e (re2#ously created (roduct#2e 5orces, are (er#od#cally destroyed n t$ese cr#ses,

t$ere breaks out an e(#de+#c t$at, #n all earl#er e(oc$s, %ould $a2e see+ed an absurd#ty 9 t$e e(#de+#c

o5 o2er)(roduct#on Soc#ety suddenly 5#nds #tsel5 (ut back #nto a state o5 +o+entary barbar#s+; #t a((ears

as #5 a 5a+#ne, a un#2ersal %ar o5 de2astat#on, $ad cut o55 t$e su((ly o5 e2ery +eans o5 subs#stence;

#ndustry and co++erce see+ to be destroyed; and %$y= -ecause t$ere #s too +uc$ c#2#l#sat#on, too +uc$



+eans o5 subs#stence, too +uc$ #ndustry, too +uc$ co++erce :$e (roduct#2e 5orces at t$e d#s(osal o5

soc#ety no longer tend to 5urt$er t$e de2elo(+ent o5 t$e cond#t#ons o5 bourgeo#s (ro(erty; on t$e contrary,

t$ey $a2e beco+e too (o%er5ul 5or t$ese cond#t#ons, by %$#c$ t$ey are 5ettered, and so soon as t$ey

o2erco+e t$ese 5etters, t$ey br#ng d#sorder #nto t$e %$ole o5 bourgeo#s soc#ety, endanger t$e ex#stence o5

bourgeo#s (ro(erty :$e cond#t#ons o5 bourgeo#s soc#ety are too narro% to co+(r#se t$e %ealt$ created by

t$e+ .nd $o% does t$e bourgeo#s#e get o2er t$ese cr#ses= !n t$e one $and by en5orced destruct#on o5 a

+ass o5 (roduct#2e 5orces; on t$e ot$er, by t$e conBuest o5 ne% +arkets, and by t$e +ore t$oroug$

ex(lo#tat#on o5 t$e old ones :$at #s to say, by (a2#ng t$e %ay 5or +ore extens#2e and +ore destruct#2e

cr#ses, and by d#+#n#s$#ng t$e +eans %$ereby cr#ses are (re2ented

:$e %ea(ons %#t$ %$#c$ t$e bourgeo#s#e 5elled 5eudal#s+ to t$e ground are no% turned aga#nst t$e

bourgeo#s#e #tsel5

-ut not only $as t$e bourgeo#s#e 5orged t$e %ea(ons t$at br#ng deat$ to #tsel5; #t $as also called #nto

ex#stence t$e +en %$o are to %#eld t$ose %ea(ons 9 t$e +odern %ork#ng class 9 t$e (roletar#ans

n (ro(ort#on as t$e bourgeo#s#e, #e, ca(#tal, #s de2elo(ed, #n t$e sa+e (ro(ort#on #s t$e (roletar#at, t$e

+odern %ork#ng class, de2elo(ed 9 a class o5 labourers, %$o l#2e only so long as t$ey 5#nd %ork, and

%$o 5#nd %ork only so long as t$e#r labour #ncreases ca(#tal :$ese labourers, %$o +ust sell t$e+sel2es

(#ece+eal, are a co++od#ty, l#ke e2ery ot$er art#cle o5 co++erce, and are conseBuently ex(osed to all t$e

2#c#ss#tudes o5 co+(et#t#on, to all t$e 5luctuat#ons o5 t$e +arket

!%#ng to t$e extens#2e use o5 +ac$#nery, and to t$e d#2#s#on o5 labour, t$e %ork o5 t$e (roletar#ans $as

lost all #nd#2#dual c$aracter, and, conseBuently, all c$ar+ 5or t$e %ork+an e beco+es an a((endage o5

t$e +ac$#ne, and #t #s only t$e +ost s#+(le, +ost +onotonous, and +ost eas#ly acBu#red knack, t$at #s

reBu#red o5 $#+ ence, t$e cost o5 (roduct#on o5 a %ork+an #s restr#cted, al+ost ent#rely, to t$e +eans o5

subs#stence t$at $e reBu#res 5or +a#ntenance, and 5or t$e (ro(agat#on o5 $#s race -ut t$e (r#ce o5 a

co++od#ty, and t$ere5ore also o5 labour, #s eBual to #ts cost o5 (roduct#on n (ro(ort#on, t$ere5ore, as t$e

re(uls#2eness o5 t$e %ork #ncreases, t$e %age decreases Day +ore, #n (ro(ort#on as t$e use o5 +ac$#nery

and d#2#s#on o5 labour #ncreases, #n t$e sa+e (ro(ort#on t$e burden o5 to#l also #ncreases, %$et$er by

(rolongat#on o5 t$e %ork#ng $ours, by t$e #ncrease o5 t$e %ork exacted #n a g#2en t#+e or by #ncreased

s(eed o5 +ac$#nery, etc



Modern ndustry $as con2erted t$e l#ttle %orks$o( o5 t$e (atr#arc$al +aster #nto t$e great 5actory o5 t$e

#ndustr#al ca(#tal#st Masses o5 labourers, cro%ded #nto t$e 5actory, are organ#sed l#ke sold#ers .s (r#2ates

o5 t$e #ndustr#al ar+y t$ey are (laced under t$e co++and o5 a (er5ect $#erarc$y o5 o55#cers and sergeants

Dot only are t$ey sla2es o5 t$e bourgeo#s class, and o5 t$e bourgeo#s State; t$ey are da#ly and $ourly

ensla2ed by t$e +ac$#ne, by t$e o2erlooker, and, abo2e all, by t$e #nd#2#dual bourgeo#s +anu5acturer

$#+sel5 :$e +ore o(enly t$#s des(ot#s+ (rocla#+s ga#n to be #ts end and a#+, t$e +ore (etty, t$e +ore

$ate5ul and t$e +ore e+b#tter#ng #t #s

:$e less t$e sk#ll and exert#on o5 strengt$ #+(l#ed #n +anual labour, #n ot$er %ords, t$e +ore +odern

#ndustry beco+es de2elo(ed, t$e +ore #s t$e labour o5 +en su(erseded by t$at o5 %o+en >#55erences o5

age and sex $a2e no longer any d#st#nct#2e soc#al 2al#d#ty 5or t$e %ork#ng class .ll are #nstru+ents o5

labour, +ore or less ex(ens#2e to use, accord#ng to t$e#r age and sex

Do sooner #s t$e ex(lo#tat#on o5 t$e labourer by t$e +anu5acturer, so 5ar, at an end, t$at $e rece#2es $#s

%ages #n cas$, t$an $e #s set u(on by t$e ot$er (ort#ons o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e, t$e landlord, t$e s$o(kee(er,

t$e (a%nbroker, etc

:$e lo%er strata o5 t$e +#ddle class 9 t$e s+all trades(eo(le, s$o(kee(ers, and ret#red trades+en

generally, t$e $and#cra5ts+en and (easants 9 all t$ese s#nk gradually #nto t$e (roletar#at, (artly because

t$e#r d#+#nut#2e ca(#tal does not su55#ce 5or t$e scale on %$#c$ Modern ndustry #s carr#ed on, and #s

s%a+(ed #n t$e co+(et#t#on %#t$ t$e large ca(#tal#sts, (artly because t$e#r s(ec#al#sed sk#ll #s rendered

%ort$less by ne% +et$ods o5 (roduct#on :$us t$e (roletar#at #s recru#ted 5ro+ all classes o5 t$e

(o(ulat#on

:$e (roletar#at goes t$roug$ 2ar#ous stages o5 de2elo(+ent W#t$ #ts b#rt$ beg#ns #ts struggle %#t$ t$e

bourgeo#s#e .t 5#rst t$e contest #s carr#ed on by #nd#2#dual labourers, t$en by t$e %ork(eo(le o5 a 5actory,

t$en by t$e o(erat#2e o5 one trade, #n one local#ty, aga#nst t$e #nd#2#dual bourgeo#s %$o d#rectly ex(lo#ts

t$e+ :$ey d#rect t$e#r attacks not aga#nst t$e bourgeo#s cond#t#ons o5 (roduct#on, but aga#nst t$e

#nstru+ents o5 (roduct#on t$e+sel2es; t$ey destroy #+(orted %ares t$at co+(ete %#t$ t$e#r labour, t$ey

s+as$ to (#eces +ac$#nery, t$ey set 5actor#es abla<e, t$ey seek to restore by 5orce t$e 2an#s$ed status o5

t$e %ork+an o5 t$e M#ddle .ges

.t t$#s stage, t$e labourers st#ll 5or+ an #nco$erent +ass scattered o2er t$e %$ole country, and broken u(

by t$e#r +utual co+(et#t#on 5 any%$ere t$ey un#te to 5or+ +ore co+(act bod#es, t$#s #s not yet t$e



conseBuence o5 t$e#r o%n act#2e un#on, but o5 t$e un#on o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e, %$#c$ class, #n order to atta#n

#ts o%n (ol#t#cal ends, #s co+(elled to set t$e %$ole (roletar#at #n +ot#on, and #s +oreo2er yet, 5or a t#+e,

able to do so .t t$#s stage, t$ere5ore, t$e (roletar#ans do not 5#g$t t$e#r ene+#es, but t$e ene+#es o5 t$e#r

ene+#es, t$e re+nants o5 absolute +onarc$y, t$e lando%ners, t$e non)#ndustr#al bourgeo#s, t$e (etty

bourgeo#s :$us, t$e %$ole $#stor#cal +o2e+ent #s concentrated #n t$e $ands o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e; e2ery

2#ctory so obta#ned #s a 2#ctory 5or t$e bourgeo#s#e

-ut %#t$ t$e de2elo(+ent o5 #ndustry, t$e (roletar#at not only #ncreases #n nu+ber; #t beco+es

concentrated #n greater +asses, #ts strengt$ gro%s, and #t 5eels t$at strengt$ +ore :$e 2ar#ous #nterests

and cond#t#ons o5 l#5e %#t$#n t$e ranks o5 t$e (roletar#at are +ore and +ore eBual#sed, #n (ro(ort#on as

+ac$#nery obl#terates all d#st#nct#ons o5 labour, and nearly e2ery%$ere reduces %ages to t$e sa+e lo%

le2el :$e gro%#ng co+(et#t#on a+ong t$e bourgeo#s, and t$e result#ng co++erc#al cr#ses, +ake t$e%ages o5 t$e %orkers e2er +ore 5luctuat#ng :$e #ncreas#ng #+(ro2e+ent o5 +ac$#nery, e2er +ore ra(#dly

de2elo(#ng, +akes t$e#r l#2el#$ood +ore and +ore (recar#ous; t$e coll#s#ons bet%een #nd#2#dual %ork+en

and #nd#2#dual bourgeo#s take +ore and +ore t$e c$aracter o5 coll#s#ons bet%een t%o classes :$ereu(on,

t$e %orkers beg#n to 5or+ co+b#nat#ons 3:radesC Gn#ons aga#nst t$e bourgeo#s; t$ey club toget$er #n

order to kee( u( t$e rate o5 %ages; t$ey 5ound (er+anent assoc#at#ons #n order to +ake (ro2#s#on

be5ore$and 5or t$ese occas#onal re2olts ere and t$ere, t$e contest breaks out #nto r#ots

Do% and t$en t$e %orkers are 2#ctor#ous, but only 5or a t#+e :$e real 5ru#t o5 t$e#r battles l#es, not #n t$e#++ed#ate result, but #n t$e e2er ex(and#ng un#on o5 t$e %orkers :$#s un#on #s $el(ed on by t$e #+(ro2ed

+eans o5 co++un#cat#on t$at are created by +odern #ndustry, and t$at (lace t$e %orkers o5 d#55erent

local#t#es #n contact %#t$ one anot$er t %as ?ust t$#s contact t$at %as needed to central#se t$e nu+erous

local struggles, all o5 t$e sa+e c$aracter, #nto one nat#onal struggle bet%een classes -ut e2ery class

struggle #s a (ol#t#cal struggle .nd t$at un#on, to atta#n %$#c$ t$e burg$ers o5 t$e M#ddle .ges, %#t$ t$e#r

+#serable $#g$%ays, reBu#red centur#es, t$e +odern (roletar#an, t$anks to ra#l%ays, ac$#e2e #n a 5e% years

:$#s organ#sat#on o5 t$e (roletar#ans #nto a class, and, conseBuently #nto a (ol#t#cal (arty, #s cont#nually

be#ng u(set aga#n by t$e co+(et#t#on bet%een t$e %orkers t$e+sel2es -ut #t e2er r#ses u( aga#n, stronger,

5#r+er, +#g$t#er t co+(els leg#slat#2e recogn#t#on o5 (art#cular #nterests o5 t$e %orkers, by tak#ng

ad2antage o5 t$e d#2#s#ons a+ong t$e bourgeo#s#e #tsel5 :$us, t$e ten)$oursC b#ll #n England %as carr#ed



.ltoget$er coll#s#ons bet%een t$e classes o5 t$e old soc#ety 5urt$er, #n +any %ays, t$e course o5

de2elo(+ent o5 t$e (roletar#at :$e bourgeo#s#e 5#nds #tsel5 #n2ol2ed #n a constant battle .t 5#rst %#t$ t$e

ar#stocracy; later on, %#t$ t$ose (ort#ons o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e #tsel5, %$ose #nterests $a2e beco+e

antagon#st#c to t$e (rogress o5 #ndustry; at all t#+e %#t$ t$e bourgeo#s#e o5 5ore#gn countr#es n all t$ese

battles, #t sees #tsel5 co+(elled to a((eal to t$e (roletar#at, to ask 5or $el(, and t$us, to drag #t #nto t$e

(ol#t#cal arena :$e bourgeo#s#e #tsel5, t$ere5ore, su((l#es t$e (roletar#at %#t$ #ts o%n ele+ents o5 (ol#t#cal

and general educat#on, #n ot$er %ords, #t 5urn#s$es t$e (roletar#at %#t$ %ea(ons 5or 5#g$t#ng t$e

bourgeo#s#e

Furt$er, as %e $a2e already seen, ent#re sect#ons o5 t$e rul#ng class are, by t$e ad2ance o5 #ndustry,

(rec#(#tated #nto t$e (roletar#at, or are at least t$reatened #n t$e#r cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence :$ese also

su((ly t$e (roletar#at %#t$ 5res$ ele+ents o5 enl#g$ten+ent and (rogress

F#nally, #n t#+es %$en t$e class struggle nears t$e dec#s#2e $our, t$e (rogress o5 d#ssolut#on go#ng on

%#t$#n t$e rul#ng class, #n 5act %#t$#n t$e %$ole range o5 old soc#ety, assu+es suc$ a 2#olent, glar#ng

c$aracter, t$at a s+all sect#on o5 t$e rul#ng class cuts #tsel5 adr#5t, and ?o#ns t$e re2olut#onary class, t$e

class t$at $olds t$e 5uture #n #ts $ands ust as, t$ere5ore, at an earl#er (er#od, a sect#on o5 t$e nob#l#ty %ent

o2er to t$e bourgeo#s#e, so no% a (ort#on o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e goes o2er to t$e (roletar#at, and #n (art#cular,

a (ort#on o5 t$e bourgeo#s #deolog#sts, %$o $a2e ra#sed t$e+sel2es to t$e le2el o5 co+(re$end#ng

t$eoret#cally t$e $#stor#cal +o2e+ent as a %$ole

!5 all t$e classes t$at stand 5ace to 5ace %#t$ t$e bourgeo#s#e today, t$e (roletar#at alone #s a really

re2olut#onary class :$e ot$er classes decay and 5#nally d#sa((ear #n t$e 5ace o5 Modern ndustry; t$e

(roletar#at #s #ts s(ec#al and essent#al (roduct

:$e lo%er +#ddle class, t$e s+all +anu5acturer, t$e s$o(kee(er, t$e art#san, t$e (easant, all t$ese 5#g$t

aga#nst t$e bourgeo#s#e, to sa2e 5ro+ ext#nct#on t$e#r ex#stence as 5ract#ons o5 t$e +#ddle class :$ey are

t$ere5ore not re2olut#onary, but conser2at#2e Day +ore, t$ey are react#onary, 5or t$ey try to roll back t$e

%$eel o5 $#story 5 by c$ance, t$ey are re2olut#onary, t$ey are only so #n 2#e% o5 t$e#r #+(end#ng trans5er

#nto t$e (roletar#at; t$ey t$us de5end not t$e#r (resent, but t$e#r 5uture #nterests, t$ey desert t$e#r o%n

stand(o#nt to (lace t$e+sel2es at t$at o5 t$e (roletar#at

:$e @dangerous classA, Hlumpenproletariat I t$e soc#al scu+, t$at (ass#2ely rott#ng +ass t$ro%n o55 by t$e

lo%est layers o5 t$e old soc#ety, +ay, $ere and t$ere, be s%e(t #nto t$e +o2e+ent by a (roletar#an



re2olut#on; #ts cond#t#ons o5 l#5e, $o%e2er, (re(are #t 5ar +ore 5or t$e (art o5 a br#bed tool o5 react#onary

#ntr#gue

n t$e cond#t#on o5 t$e (roletar#at, t$ose o5 old soc#ety at large are already 2#rtually s%a+(ed :$e

(roletar#an #s %#t$out (ro(erty; $#s relat#on to $#s %#5e and c$#ldren $as no longer anyt$#ng #n co++on

%#t$ t$e bourgeo#s 5a+#ly relat#ons; +odern #ndustry labour, +odern sub?ect#on to ca(#tal, t$e sa+e #n

England as #n France, #n .+er#ca as #n er+any, $as str#((ed $#+ o5 e2ery trace o5 nat#onal c$aracter

La%, +oral#ty, rel#g#on, are to $#+ so +any bourgeo#s (re?ud#ces, be$#nd %$#c$ lurk #n a+bus$ ?ust as

+any bourgeo#s #nterests

.ll t$e (reced#ng classes t$at got t$e u((er $and soug$t to 5ort#5y t$e#r already acBu#red status by

sub?ect#ng soc#ety at large to t$e#r cond#t#ons o5 a((ro(r#at#on :$e (roletar#ans cannot beco+e +asters o5

t$e (roduct#2e 5orces o5 soc#ety, exce(t by abol#s$#ng t$e#r o%n (re2#ous +ode o5 a((ro(r#at#on, and

t$ereby also e2ery ot$er (re2#ous +ode o5 a((ro(r#at#on :$ey $a2e not$#ng o5 t$e#r o%n to secure and to

5ort#5y; t$e#r +#ss#on #s to destroy all (re2#ous secur#t#es 5or, and #nsurances o5, #nd#2#dual (ro(erty

.ll (re2#ous $#stor#cal +o2e+ents %ere +o2e+ents o5 +#nor#t#es, or #n t$e #nterest o5 +#nor#t#es :$e

(roletar#an +o2e+ent #s t$e sel5)consc#ous, #nde(endent +o2e+ent o5 t$e #++ense +a?or#ty, #n t$e

#nterest o5 t$e #++ense +a?or#ty :$e (roletar#at, t$e lo%est stratu+ o5 our (resent soc#ety, cannot st#r,

cannot ra#se #tsel5 u(, %#t$out t$e %$ole su(er#ncu+bent strata o5 o55#c#al soc#ety be#ng s(rung #nto t$e a#r

:$oug$ not #n substance, yet #n 5or+, t$e struggle o5 t$e (roletar#at %#t$ t$e bourgeo#s#e #s at 5#rst a

nat#onal struggle :$e (roletar#at o5 eac$ country +ust, o5 course, 5#rst o5 all settle +atters %#t$ #ts o%n

bourgeo#s#e

n de(#ct#ng t$e +ost general ($ases o5 t$e de2elo(+ent o5 t$e (roletar#at, %e traced t$e +ore or less

2e#led c#2#l %ar, rag#ng %#t$#n ex#st#ng soc#ety, u( to t$e (o#nt %$ere t$at %ar breaks out #nto o(en

re2olut#on, and %$ere t$e 2#olent o2ert$ro% o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e lays t$e 5oundat#on 5or t$e s%ay o5 t$e

(roletar#at

#t$erto, e2ery 5or+ o5 soc#ety $as been based, as %e $a2e already seen, on t$e antagon#s+ o5 o((ress#ng

and o((ressed classes -ut #n order to o((ress a class, certa#n cond#t#ons +ust be assured to #t under %$#c$

#t can, at least, cont#nue #ts sla2#s$ ex#stence :$e ser5, #n t$e (er#od o5 ser5do+, ra#sed $#+sel5 to

+e+bers$#( #n t$e co++une, ?ust as t$e (etty bourgeo#s, under t$e yoke o5 t$e 5eudal absolut#s+,



+anaged to de2elo( #nto a bourgeo#s :$e +odern labourer, on t$e contrary, #nstead o5 r#s#ng %#t$ t$e

(rocess o5 #ndustry, s#nks dee(er and dee(er belo% t$e cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence o5 $#s o%n class e

beco+es a (au(er, and (au(er#s+ de2elo(s +ore ra(#dly t$an (o(ulat#on and %ealt$ .nd $ere #t beco+es

e2#dent, t$at t$e bourgeo#s#e #s un5#t any longer to be t$e rul#ng class #n soc#ety, and to #+(ose #ts

cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence u(on soc#ety as an o2er)r#d#ng la% t #s un5#t to rule because #t #s #nco+(etent to

assure an ex#stence to #ts sla2e %#t$#n $#s sla2ery, because #t cannot $el( lett#ng $#+ s#nk #nto suc$ a state,

t$at #t $as to 5eed $#+, #nstead o5 be#ng 5ed by $#+ Soc#ety can no longer l#2e under t$#s bourgeo#s#e, #n

ot$er %ords, #ts ex#stence #s no longer co+(at#ble %#t$ soc#ety

:$e essent#al cond#t#ons 5or t$e ex#stence and 5or t$e s%ay o5 t$e bourgeo#s class #s t$e 5or+at#on and

aug+entat#on o5 ca(#tal; t$e cond#t#on 5or ca(#tal #s %age)labour Wage)labour rests exclus#2ely on

co+(et#t#on bet%een t$e labourers :$e ad2ance o5 #ndustry, %$ose #n2oluntary (ro+oter #s t$e bourgeo#s#e, re(laces t$e #solat#on o5 t$e labourers, due to co+(et#t#on, by t$e re2olut#onary co+b#nat#on,

due to assoc#at#on :$e de2elo(+ent o5 Modern ndustry, t$ere5ore, cuts 5ro+ under #ts 5eet t$e 2ery

5oundat#on on %$#c$ t$e bourgeo#s#e (roduces and a((ro(r#ates (roducts W$at t$e bourgeo#s#e t$ere5ore

(roduces, abo2e all, are #ts o%n gra2e)d#ggers ts 5all and t$e 2#ctory o5 t$e (roletar#at are eBually

#ne2#table

Chapter II. Proletarians and Communists

n %$at relat#on do t$e 6o++un#sts stand to t$e (roletar#ans as a %$ole=

:$e 6o++un#sts do not 5or+ a se(arate (arty o((osed to t$e ot$er %ork#ng)class (art#es

:$ey $a2e no #nterests se(arate and a(art 5ro+ t$ose o5 t$e (roletar#at as a %$ole

:$ey do not set u( any sectar#an (r#nc#(les o5 t$e#r o%n, by %$#c$ to s$a(e and +ould t$e (roletar#an

+o2e+ent

:$e 6o++un#sts are d#st#ngu#s$ed 5ro+ t$e ot$er %ork#ng)class (art#es by t$#s only 1 n t$e nat#onal

struggles o5 t$e (roletar#ans o5 t$e d#55erent countr#es, t$ey (o#nt out and br#ng to t$e 5ront t$e co++on

#nterests o5 t$e ent#re (roletar#at, #nde(endently o5 all nat#onal#ty n t$e 2ar#ous stages o5 de2elo(+ent



%$#c$ t$e struggle o5 t$e %ork#ng class aga#nst t$e bourgeo#s#e $as to (ass t$roug$, t$ey al%ays and

e2ery%$ere re(resent t$e #nterests o5 t$e +o2e+ent as a %$ole

:$e 6o++un#sts, t$ere5ore, are on t$e one $and, (ract#cally, t$e +ost ad2anced and resolute sect#on o5

t$e %ork#ng)class (art#es o5 e2ery country, t$at sect#on %$#c$ (us$es 5or%ard all ot$ers; on t$e ot$er $and,

t$eoret#cally, t$ey $a2e o2er t$e great +ass o5 t$e (roletar#at t$e ad2antage o5 clearly understand#ng t$e

l#ne o5 +arc$, t$e cond#t#ons, and t$e ult#+ate general results o5 t$e (roletar#an +o2e+ent

:$e #++ed#ate a#+ o5 t$e 6o++un#sts #s t$e sa+e as t$at o5 all ot$er (roletar#an (art#es 5or+at#on o5

t$e (roletar#at #nto a class, o2ert$ro% o5 t$e bourgeo#s su(re+acy, conBuest o5 (ol#t#cal (o%er by t$e

(roletar#at

:$e t$eoret#cal conclus#ons o5 t$e 6o++un#sts are #n no %ay based on #deas or (r#nc#(les t$at $a2e

been #n2ented, or d#sco2ered, by t$#s or t$at %ould)be un#2ersal re5or+er

:$ey +erely ex(ress, #n general ter+s, actual relat#ons s(r#ng#ng 5ro+ an ex#st#ng class struggle, 5ro+

a $#stor#cal +o2e+ent go#ng on under our 2ery eyes :$e abol#t#on o5 ex#st#ng (ro(erty relat#ons #s not at

all a d#st#nct#2e 5eature o5 co++un#s+

.ll (ro(erty relat#ons #n t$e (ast $a2e cont#nually been sub?ect to $#stor#cal c$ange conseBuent u(on

t$e c$ange #n $#stor#cal cond#t#ons

:$e Frenc$ e2olut#on, 5or exa+(le, abol#s$ed 5eudal (ro(erty #n 5a2our o5 bourgeo#s (ro(erty

:$e d#st#ngu#s$#ng 5eature o5 6o++un#s+ #s not t$e abol#t#on o5 (ro(erty generally, but t$e abol#t#on

o5 bourgeo#s (ro(erty -ut +odern bourgeo#s (r#2ate (ro(erty #s t$e 5#nal and +ost co+(lete ex(ress#on o5

t$e syste+ o5 (roduc#ng and a((ro(r#at#ng (roducts, t$at #s based on class antagon#s+s, on t$e

ex(lo#tat#on o5 t$e +any by t$e 5e%

n t$#s sense, t$e t$eory o5 t$e 6o++un#sts +ay be su++ed u( #n t$e s#ngle sentence .bol#t#on o5

(r#2ate (ro(erty

We 6o++un#sts $a2e been re(roac$ed %#t$ t$e des#re o5 abol#s$#ng t$e r#g$t o5 (ersonally acBu#r#ng

(ro(erty as t$e 5ru#t o5 a +anCs o%n labour, %$#c$ (ro(erty #s alleged to be t$e ground%ork o5 all (ersonal

5reedo+, act#2#ty and #nde(endence



ard)%on, sel5)acBu#red, sel5)earned (ro(ertyJ >o you +ean t$e (ro(erty o5 (etty art#san and o5 t$e

s+all (easant, a 5or+ o5 (ro(erty t$at (receded t$e bourgeo#s 5or+= :$ere #s no need to abol#s$ t$at; t$e

de2elo(+ent o5 #ndustry $as to a great extent already destroyed #t, and #s st#ll destroy#ng #t da#ly

!r do you +ean t$e +odern bourgeo#s (r#2ate (ro(erty=

-ut does %age)labour create any (ro(erty 5or t$e labourer= Dot a b#t t creates ca(#tal, i.e., t$at k#nd

o5 (ro(erty %$#c$ ex(lo#ts %age)labour, and %$#c$ cannot #ncrease exce(t u(on cond#t#on o5 begett#ng a

ne% su((ly o5 %age)labour 5or 5res$ ex(lo#tat#on "ro(erty, #n #ts (resent 5or+, #s based on t$e antagon#s+

o5 ca(#tal and %age labour Let us exa+#ne bot$ s#des o5 t$#s antagon#s+

:o be a ca(#tal#st, #s to $a2e not only a (urely (ersonal, but a soc#al status #n (roduct#on 6a(#tal #s a

collect#2e (roduct, and only by t$e un#ted act#on o5 +any +e+bers, nay, #n t$e last resort, only by t$e

un#ted act#on o5 all +e+bers o5 soc#ety, can #t be set #n +ot#on

6a(#tal #s t$ere5ore not only (ersonal; #t #s a soc#al (o%er

W$en, t$ere5ore, ca(#tal #s con2erted #nto co++on (ro(erty, #nto t$e (ro(erty o5 all +e+bers o5

soc#ety, (ersonal (ro(erty #s not t$ereby trans5or+ed #nto soc#al (ro(erty t #s only t$e soc#al c$aracter o5

t$e (ro(erty t$at #s c$anged t loses #ts class c$aracter

Let us no% take %age)labour

:$e a2erage (r#ce o5 %age)labour #s t$e +#n#+u+ %age, i.e., t$at Buantu+ o5 t$e +eans o5 subs#stence

%$#c$ #s absolutely reBu#s#te to kee( t$e labourer #n bare ex#stence as a labourer W$at, t$ere5ore, t$e

%age)labourer a((ro(r#ates by +eans o5 $#s labour, +erely su55#ces to (rolong and re(roduce a bare

ex#stence We by no +eans #ntend to abol#s$ t$#s (ersonal a((ro(r#at#on o5 t$e (roducts o5 labour, an

a((ro(r#at#on t$at #s +ade 5or t$e +a#ntenance and re(roduct#on o5 $u+an l#5e, and t$at lea2es no sur(lus

%$ere%#t$ to co++and t$e labour o5 ot$ers .ll t$at %e %ant to do a%ay %#t$ #s t$e +#serable c$aractero5 t$#s a((ro(r#at#on, under %$#c$ t$e labourer l#2es +erely to #ncrease ca(#tal, and #s allo%ed to l#2e only

#n so 5ar as t$e #nterest o5 t$e rul#ng class reBu#res #t

n bourgeo#s soc#ety, l#2#ng labour #s but a +eans to #ncrease accu+ulated labour n 6o++un#st

soc#ety, accu+ulated labour #s but a +eans to %#den, to enr#c$, to (ro+ote t$e ex#stence o5 t$e labourer



n bourgeo#s soc#ety, t$ere5ore, t$e (ast do+#nates t$e (resent; #n 6o++un#st soc#ety, t$e (resent

do+#nates t$e (ast n bourgeo#s soc#ety ca(#tal #s #nde(endent and $as #nd#2#dual#ty, %$#le t$e l#2#ng

(erson #s de(endent and $as no #nd#2#dual#ty

.nd t$e abol#t#on o5 t$#s state o5 t$#ngs #s called by t$e bourgeo#s, abol#t#on o5 #nd#2#dual#ty and

5reedo+J .nd r#g$tly so :$e abol#t#on o5 bourgeo#s #nd#2#dual#ty, bourgeo#s #nde(endence, and bourgeo#s

5reedo+ #s undoubtedly a#+ed at

-y 5reedo+ #s +eant, under t$e (resent bourgeo#s cond#t#ons o5 (roduct#on, 5ree trade, 5ree sell#ng and

buy#ng

-ut #5 sell#ng and buy#ng d#sa((ears, 5ree sell#ng and buy#ng d#sa((ears also :$#s talk about 5ree

sell#ng and buy#ng, and all t$e ot$er @bra2e %ordsA o5 our bourgeo#s about 5reedo+ #n general, $a2e a

+ean#ng, #5 any, only #n contrast %#t$ restr#cted sell#ng and buy#ng, %#t$ t$e 5ettered traders o5 t$e M#ddle

.ges, but $a2e no +ean#ng %$en o((osed to t$e 6o++un#st#c abol#t#on o5 buy#ng and sell#ng, o5 t$e

bourgeo#s cond#t#ons o5 (roduct#on, and o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e #tsel5

Kou are $orr#5#ed at our #ntend#ng to do a%ay %#t$ (r#2ate (ro(erty -ut #n your ex#st#ng soc#ety,

(r#2ate (ro(erty #s already done a%ay %#t$ 5or n#ne)tent$s o5 t$e (o(ulat#on; #ts ex#stence 5or t$e 5e% #s

solely due to #ts non)ex#stence #n t$e $ands o5 t$ose n#ne)tent$s Kou re(roac$ us, t$ere5ore, %#t$

#ntend#ng to do a%ay %#t$ a 5or+ o5 (ro(erty, t$e necessary cond#t#on 5or %$ose ex#stence #s t$e non)

ex#stence o5 any (ro(erty 5or t$e #++ense +a?or#ty o5 soc#ety

n one %ord, you re(roac$ us %#t$ #ntend#ng to do a%ay %#t$ your (ro(erty "rec#sely so; t$at #s ?ust

%$at %e #ntend

Fro+ t$e +o+ent %$en labour can no longer be con2erted #nto ca(#tal, +oney, or rent, #nto a soc#al

(o%er ca(able o5 be#ng +ono(ol#sed, i.e., 5ro+ t$e +o+ent %$en #nd#2#dual (ro(erty can no longer be

trans5or+ed #nto bourgeo#s (ro(erty, #nto ca(#tal, 5ro+ t$at +o+ent, you say, #nd#2#dual#ty 2an#s$es

Kou +ust, t$ere5ore, con5ess t$at by @#nd#2#dualA you +ean no ot$er (erson t$an t$e bourgeo#s, t$an

t$e +#ddle)class o%ner o5 (ro(erty :$#s (erson +ust, #ndeed, be s%e(t out o5 t$e %ay, and +ade

#+(oss#ble



6o++un#s+ de(r#2es no +an o5 t$e (o%er to a((ro(r#ate t$e (roducts o5 soc#ety; all t$at #t does #s to

de(r#2e $#+ o5 t$e (o%er to sub?ugate t$e labour o5 ot$ers by +eans o5 suc$ a((ro(r#at#ons

t $as been ob?ected t$at u(on t$e abol#t#on o5 (r#2ate (ro(erty, all %ork %#ll cease, and un#2ersal

la<#ness %#ll o2ertake us

.ccord#ng to t$#s, bourgeo#s soc#ety oug$t long ago to $a2e gone to t$e dogs t$roug$ s$eer #dleness;

5or t$ose o5 #ts +e+bers %$o %ork, acBu#re not$#ng, and t$ose %$o acBu#re anyt$#ng do not %ork :$e

%$ole o5 t$#s ob?ect#on #s but anot$er ex(ress#on o5 t$e tautology t$at t$ere can no longer be any %age)

labour %$en t$ere #s no longer any ca(#tal

.ll ob?ect#ons urged aga#nst t$e 6o++un#st#c +ode o5 (roduc#ng and a((ro(r#at#ng +ater#al (roducts,

$a2e, #n t$e sa+e %ay, been urged aga#nst t$e 6o++un#st#c +ode o5 (roduc#ng and a((ro(r#at#ng

#ntellectual (roducts ust as, to t$e bourgeo#s, t$e d#sa((earance o5 class (ro(erty #s t$e d#sa((earance o5

(roduct#on #tsel5, so t$e d#sa((earance o5 class culture #s to $#+ #dent#cal %#t$ t$e d#sa((earance o5 all

culture

:$at culture, t$e loss o5 %$#c$ $e la+ents, #s, 5or t$e enor+ous +a?or#ty, a +ere tra#n#ng to act as a

+ac$#ne

-ut donCt %rangle %#t$ us so long as you a((ly, to our #ntended abol#t#on o5 bourgeo#s (ro(erty, t$e

standard o5 your bourgeo#s not#ons o5 5reedo+, culture, la%, c Kour 2ery #deas are but t$e outgro%t$ o5

t$e cond#t#ons o5 your bourgeo#s (roduct#on and bourgeo#s (ro(erty, ?ust as your ?ur#s(rudence #s but t$e

%#ll o5 your class +ade #nto a la% 5or all, a %#ll %$ose essent#al c$aracter and d#rect#on are deter+#ned by

t$e econo+#cal cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence o5 your class

:$e sel5#s$ +#sconce(t#on t$at #nduces you to trans5or+ #nto eternal la%s o5 nature and o5 reason, t$e

soc#al 5or+s s(r#ng#ng 5ro+ your (resent +ode o5 (roduct#on and 5or+ o5 (ro(erty $#stor#cal relat#ons

t$at r#se and d#sa((ear #n t$e (rogress o5 (roduct#on t$#s +#sconce(t#on you s$are %#t$ e2ery rul#ng class

t$at $as (receded you W$at you see clearly #n t$e case o5 anc#ent (ro(erty, %$at you ad+#t #n t$e case o5

5eudal (ro(erty, you are o5 course 5orb#dden to ad+#t #n t$e case o5 your o%n bourgeo#s 5or+ o5 (ro(erty

.bol#t#on H Aufhebung I o5 t$e 5a+#lyJ E2en t$e +ost rad#cal 5lare u( at t$#s #n5a+ous (ro(osal o5 t$e

6o++un#sts



!n %$at 5oundat#on #s t$e (resent 5a+#ly, t$e bourgeo#s 5a+#ly, based= !n ca(#tal, on (r#2ate ga#n n

#ts co+(letely de2elo(ed 5or+, t$#s 5a+#ly ex#sts only a+ong t$e bourgeo#s#e -ut t$#s state o5 t$#ngs 5#nds

#ts co+(le+ent #n t$e (ract#cal absence o5 t$e 5a+#ly a+ong t$e (roletar#ans, and #n (ubl#c (rost#tut#on

:$e bourgeo#s 5a+#ly %#ll 2an#s$ as a +atter o5 course %$en #ts co+(le+ent 2an#s$es, and bot$ %#ll

2an#s$ %#t$ t$e 2an#s$#ng o5 ca(#tal

>o you c$arge us %#t$ %ant#ng to sto( t$e ex(lo#tat#on o5 c$#ldren by t$e#r (arents= :o t$#s cr#+e %e

(lead gu#lty

-ut, you say, %e destroy t$e +ost $allo%ed o5 relat#ons, %$en %e re(lace $o+e educat#on by soc#al

.nd your educat#onJ s not t$at also soc#al, and deter+#ned by t$e soc#al cond#t#ons under %$#c$ youeducate, by t$e #nter2ent#on d#rect or #nd#rect, o5 soc#ety, by +eans o5 sc$ools, c= :$e 6o++un#sts $a2e

not #n2ented t$e #nter2ent#on o5 soc#ety #n educat#on; t$ey do but seek to alter t$e c$aracter o5 t$at

#nter2ent#on, and to rescue educat#on 5ro+ t$e #n5luence o5 t$e rul#ng class

:$e bourgeo#s cla()tra( about t$e 5a+#ly and educat#on, about t$e $allo%ed co)relat#on o5 (arents and

c$#ld, beco+es all t$e +ore d#sgust#ng, t$e +ore, by t$e act#on o5 Modern ndustry, all t$e 5a+#ly t#es

a+ong t$e (roletar#ans are torn asunder, and t$e#r c$#ldren trans5or+ed #nto s#+(le art#cles o5 co++erce

and #nstru+ents o5 labour

-ut you 6o++un#sts %ould #ntroduce co++un#ty o5 %o+en, screa+s t$e bourgeo#s#e #n c$orus

:$e bourgeo#s sees $#s %#5e a +ere #nstru+ent o5 (roduct#on e $ears t$at t$e #nstru+ents o5

(roduct#on are to be ex(lo#ted #n co++on, and, naturally, can co+e to no ot$er conclus#on t$at t$e lot o5

be#ng co++on to all %#ll l#ke%#se 5all to t$e %o+en

e $as not e2en a sus(#c#on t$at t$e real (o#nt a#+ed at #s to do a%ay %#t$ t$e status o5 %o+en as

+ere #nstru+ents o5 (roduct#on

For t$e rest, not$#ng #s +ore r#d#culous t$an t$e 2#rtuous #nd#gnat#on o5 our bourgeo#s at t$e

co++un#ty o5 %o+en %$#c$, t$ey (retend, #s to be o(enly and o55#c#ally establ#s$ed by t$e 6o++un#sts

:$e 6o++un#sts $a2e no need to #ntroduce co++un#ty o5 %o+en; #t $as ex#sted al+ost 5ro+ t#+e

#++e+or#al



!ur bourgeo#s, not content %#t$ $a2#ng %#2es and daug$ters o5 t$e#r (roletar#ans at t$e#r d#s(osal, not

to s(eak o5 co++on (rost#tutes, take t$e greatest (leasure #n seduc#ng eac$ ot$erCs %#2es

-ourgeo#s +arr#age #s, #n real#ty, a syste+ o5 %#2es #n co++on and t$us, at t$e +ost, %$at t$e

6o++un#sts +#g$t (oss#bly be re(roac$ed %#t$ #s t$at t$ey des#re to #ntroduce, #n subst#tut#on 5or a

$y(ocr#t#cally concealed, an o(enly legal#sed co++un#ty o5 %o+en For t$e rest, #t #s sel5)e2#dent t$at t$e

abol#t#on o5 t$e (resent syste+ o5 (roduct#on +ust br#ng %#t$ #t t$e abol#t#on o5 t$e co++un#ty o5 %o+en

s(r#ng#ng 5ro+ t$at syste+, i.e., o5 (rost#tut#on bot$ (ubl#c and (r#2ate

:$e 6o++un#sts are 5urt$er re(roac$ed %#t$ des#r#ng to abol#s$ countr#es and nat#onal#ty

:$e %ork#ng +en $a2e no country We cannot take 5ro+ t$e+ %$at t$ey $a2e not got S#nce t$e

(roletar#at +ust 5#rst o5 all acBu#re (ol#t#cal su(re+acy, +ust r#se to be t$e lead#ng class o5 t$e nat#on,

+ust const#tute #tsel5 the nat#on, #t #s so 5ar, #tsel5 nat#onal, t$oug$ not #n t$e bourgeo#s sense o5 t$e %ord

Dat#onal d#55erences and antagon#s+ bet%een (eo(les are da#ly +ore and +ore 2an#s$#ng, o%#ng to t$e

de2elo(+ent o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e, to 5reedo+ o5 co++erce, to t$e %orld +arket, to un#5or+#ty #n t$e +ode

o5 (roduct#on and #n t$e cond#t#ons o5 l#5e corres(ond#ng t$ereto

:$e su(re+acy o5 t$e (roletar#at %#ll cause t$e+ to 2an#s$ st#ll 5aster Gn#ted act#on, o5 t$e lead#ng

c#2#l#sed countr#es at least, #s one o5 t$e 5#rst cond#t#ons 5or t$e e+anc#(at#on o5 t$e (roletar#at

n (ro(ort#on as t$e ex(lo#tat#on o5 one #nd#2#dual by anot$er %#ll also be (ut an end to, t$e

ex(lo#tat#on o5 one nat#on by anot$er %#ll also be (ut an end to n (ro(ort#on as t$e antagon#s+ bet%een

classes %#t$#n t$e nat#on 2an#s$es, t$e $ost#l#ty o5 one nat#on to anot$er %#ll co+e to an end

:$e c$arges aga#nst 6o++un#s+ +ade 5ro+ a rel#g#ous, a ($#loso($#cal and, generally, 5ro+ an

#deolog#cal stand(o#nt, are not deser2#ng o5 ser#ous exa+#nat#on

>oes #t reBu#re dee( #ntu#t#on to co+(re$end t$at +anCs #deas, 2#e%s, and conce(t#on, #n one %ord,

+anCs consc#ousness, c$anges %#t$ e2ery c$ange #n t$e cond#t#ons o5 $#s +ater#al ex#stence, #n $#s soc#al

relat#ons and #n $#s soc#al l#5e=



W$at else does t$e $#story o5 #deas (ro2e, t$an t$at #ntellectual (roduct#on c$anges #ts c$aracter #n

(ro(ort#on as +ater#al (roduct#on #s c$anged= :$e rul#ng #deas o5 eac$ age $a2e e2er been t$e #deas o5 #ts

rul#ng class

W$en (eo(le s(eak o5 t$e #deas t$at re2olut#on#se soc#ety, t$ey do but ex(ress t$at 5act t$at %#t$#n t$e

old soc#ety t$e ele+ents o5 a ne% one $a2e been created, and t$at t$e d#ssolut#on o5 t$e old #deas kee(s

e2en (ace %#t$ t$e d#ssolut#on o5 t$e old cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence

W$en t$e anc#ent %orld %as #n #ts last t$roes, t$e anc#ent rel#g#ons %ere o2erco+e by 6$r#st#an#ty

W$en 6$r#st#an #deas succu+bed #n t$e 18t$ century to rat#onal#st #deas, 5eudal soc#ety 5oug$t #ts deat$

battle %#t$ t$e t$en re2olut#onary bourgeo#s#e :$e #deas o5 rel#g#ous l#berty and 5reedo+ o5 consc#ence

+erely ga2e ex(ress#on to t$e s%ay o5 5ree co+(et#t#on %#t$#n t$e do+a#n o5 kno%ledge

@Gndoubtedly,A #t %#ll be sa#d, @rel#g#ous, +oral, ($#loso($#cal, and ?ur#d#cal #deas $a2e been +od#5#ed

#n t$e course o5 $#stor#cal de2elo(+ent -ut rel#g#on, +oral#ty, ($#loso($y, (ol#t#cal sc#ence, and la%,

constantly sur2#2ed t$#s c$angeA

@:$ere are, bes#des, eternal trut$s, suc$ as Freedo+, ust#ce, etc, t$at are co++on to all states o5

soc#ety -ut 6o++un#s+ abol#s$es eternal trut$s, #t abol#s$es all rel#g#on, and all +oral#ty, #nstead o5

const#tut#ng t$e+ on a ne% bas#s; #t t$ere5ore acts #n contrad#ct#on to all (ast $#stor#cal ex(er#enceA

W$at does t$#s accusat#on reduce #tsel5 to= :$e $#story o5 all (ast soc#ety $as cons#sted #n t$e

de2elo(+ent o5 class antagon#s+s, antagon#s+s t$at assu+ed d#55erent 5or+s at d#55erent e(oc$s

-ut %$ate2er 5or+ t$ey +ay $a2e taken, one 5act #s co++on to all (ast ages, viz., t$e ex(lo#tat#on o5

one (art o5 soc#ety by t$e ot$er Do %onder, t$en, t$at t$e soc#al consc#ousness o5 (ast ages, des(#te all t$e

+ult#(l#c#ty and 2ar#ety #t d#s(lays, +o2es %#t$#n certa#n co++on 5or+s, or general #deas, %$#c$ cannot

co+(letely 2an#s$ exce(t %#t$ t$e total d#sa((earance o5 class antagon#s+s

:$e 6o++un#st re2olut#on #s t$e +ost rad#cal ru(ture %#t$ trad#t#onal (ro(erty relat#ons; no %onder

t$at #ts de2elo(+ent #n2ol2ed t$e +ost rad#cal ru(ture %#t$ trad#t#onal #deas

-ut let us $a2e done %#t$ t$e bourgeo#s ob?ect#ons to 6o++un#s+



We $a2e seen abo2e, t$at t$e 5#rst ste( #n t$e re2olut#on by t$e %ork#ng class #s to ra#se t$e (roletar#at

to t$e (os#t#on o5 rul#ng class to %#n t$e battle o5 de+ocracy

:$e (roletar#at %#ll use #ts (ol#t#cal su(re+acy to %rest, by degree, all ca(#tal 5ro+ t$e bourgeo#s#e, to

central#se all #nstru+ents o5 (roduct#on #n t$e $ands o5 t$e State, i.e., o5 t$e (roletar#at organ#sed as t$e

rul#ng class; and to #ncrease t$e total (roduct#2e 5orces as ra(#dly as (oss#ble

!5 course, #n t$e beg#nn#ng, t$#s cannot be e55ected exce(t by +eans o5 des(ot#c #nroads on t$e r#g$ts

o5 (ro(erty, and on t$e cond#t#ons o5 bourgeo#s (roduct#on; by +eans o5 +easures, t$ere5ore, %$#c$

a((ear econo+#cally #nsu55#c#ent and untenable, but %$#c$, #n t$e course o5 t$e +o2e+ent, outstr#(

t$e+sel2es, necess#tate 5urt$er #nroads u(on t$e old soc#al order, and are una2o#dable as a +eans o5

ent#rely re2olut#on#s#ng t$e +ode o5 (roduct#on

:$ese +easures %#ll, o5 course, be d#55erent #n d#55erent countr#es

De2ert$eless, #n +ost ad2anced countr#es, t$e 5ollo%#ng %#ll be (retty generally a((l#cable

1 .bol#t#on o5 (ro(erty #n land and a((l#cat#on o5 all rents o5 land to (ubl#c (ur(oses

. $ea2y (rogress#2e or graduated #nco+e tax

* .bol#t#on o5 all r#g$ts o5 #n$er#tance

4 6on5#scat#on o5 t$e (ro(erty o5 all e+#grants and rebels

N 6entral#<at#on o5 cred#t #n t$e $ands o5 t$e state, by +eans o5 a nat#onal bank %#t$ State ca(#tal and an

exclus#2e +ono(oly

' 6entral#<at#on o5 t$e +eans o5 co++un#cat#on and trans(ort #n t$e $ands o5 t$e State

7 Extens#on o5 5actor#es and #nstru+ents o5 (roduct#on o%ned by t$e State; t$e br#ng#ng #nto cult#2at#on o5

%aste)lands, and t$e #+(ro2e+ent o5 t$e so#l generally #n accordance %#t$ a co++on (lan

8 EBual l#ab#l#ty o5 all to %ork Establ#s$+ent o5 #ndustr#al ar+#es, es(ec#ally 5or agr#culture

& 6o+b#nat#on o5 agr#culture %#t$ +anu5actur#ng #ndustr#es; gradual abol#t#on o5 all t$e d#st#nct#on

bet%een to%n and country by a +ore eBuable d#str#but#on o5 t$e (o(ulace o2er t$e country

10 Free educat#on 5or all c$#ldren #n (ubl#c sc$ools .bol#t#on o5 c$#ldrenCs 5actory labour #n #ts (resent

5or+ 6o+b#nat#on o5 educat#on %#t$ #ndustr#al (roduct#on, c, c

W$en, #n t$e course o5 de2elo(+ent, class d#st#nct#ons $a2e d#sa((eared, and all (roduct#on $as been

concentrated #n t$e $ands o5 a 2ast assoc#at#on o5 t$e %$ole nat#on, t$e (ubl#c (o%er %#ll lose #ts (ol#t#cal



c$aracter "ol#t#cal (o%er, (ro(erly so called, #s +erely t$e organ#sed (o%er o5 one class 5or o((ress#ng

anot$er 5 t$e (roletar#at dur#ng #ts contest %#t$ t$e bourgeo#s#e #s co+(elled, by t$e 5orce o5

c#rcu+stances, to organ#se #tsel5 as a class, #5, by +eans o5 a re2olut#on, #t +akes #tsel5 t$e rul#ng class,

and, as suc$, s%ee(s a%ay by 5orce t$e old cond#t#ons o5 (roduct#on, t$en #t %#ll, along %#t$ t$ese

cond#t#ons, $a2e s%e(t a%ay t$e cond#t#ons 5or t$e ex#stence o5 class antagon#s+s and o5 classes

generally, and %#ll t$ereby $a2e abol#s$ed #ts o%n su(re+acy as a class

n (lace o5 t$e old bourgeo#s soc#ety, %#t$ #ts classes and class antagon#s+s, %e s$all $a2e an

assoc#at#on, #n %$#c$ t$e 5ree de2elo(+ent o5 eac$ #s t$e cond#t#on 5or t$e 5ree de2elo(+ent o5 all

Chapter III. Socialist and Communist

Literature

1. Reactionary Socialism

A. Feudal Socialis

!%#ng to t$e#r $#stor#cal (os#t#on, #t beca+e t$e 2ocat#on o5 t$e ar#stocrac#es o5 France

and England to %r#te (a+($lets aga#nst +odern bourgeo#s soc#ety n t$e Frenc$

e2olut#on o5 uly 18*0, and #n t$e Engl#s$ re5or+ ag#tat#on [A], t$ese ar#stocrac#es aga#n

succu+bed to t$e $ate5ul u(start :$ence5ort$, a ser#ous (ol#t#cal struggle %as altoget$er

out o5 t$e Buest#on . l#terary battle alone re+a#ned (oss#ble -ut e2en #n t$e do+a#n o5

l#terature t$e old cr#es o5 t$e restorat#on (er#od $ad beco+e #+(oss#ble (1)

n order to arouse sy+(at$y, t$e ar#stocracy %as obl#ged to lose s#g$t, a((arently, o5

#ts o%n #nterests, and to 5or+ulate t$e#r #nd#ct+ent aga#nst t$e bourgeo#s#e #n t$e #nterest

o5 t$e ex(lo#ted %ork#ng class alone :$us, t$e ar#stocracy took t$e#r re2enge by s#ng#ng

la+(oons on t$e#r ne% +asters and %$#s(er#ng #n $#s ears s#n#ster (ro($es#es o5 co+#ng

catastro($e

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch03.htm#e1







n t$#s %ay arose 5eudal Soc#al#s+ $al5 la+entat#on, $al5 la+(oon; $al5 an ec$o o5 t$e

(ast, $al5 +enace o5 t$e 5uture; at t#+es, by #ts b#tter, %#tty and #nc#s#2e cr#t#c#s+,

str#k#ng t$e bourgeo#s#e to t$e 2ery $eartCs core; but al%ays lud#crous #n #ts e55ect,

t$roug$ total #nca(ac#ty to co+(re$end t$e +arc$ o5 +odern $#story

:$e ar#stocracy, #n order to rally t$e (eo(le to t$e+, %a2ed t$e (roletar#an al+s)bag #n

5ront 5or a banner -ut t$e (eo(le, so o5ten as #t ?o#ned t$e+, sa% on t$e#r $#ndBuarters

t$e old 5eudal coats o5 ar+s, and deserted %#t$ loud and #rre2erent laug$ter

!ne sect#on o5 t$e Frenc$ Leg#t#+#sts and @Koung EnglandA ex$#b#ted t$#s s(ectacle

n (o#nt#ng out t$at t$e#r +ode o5 ex(lo#tat#on %as d#55erent to t$at o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e,

t$e 5eudal#sts 5orget t$at t$ey ex(lo#ted under c#rcu+stances and cond#t#ons t$at %ere

Bu#te d#55erent and t$at are no% ant#Buated n s$o%#ng t$at, under t$e#r rule, t$e +odern

(roletar#at ne2er ex#sted, t$ey 5orget t$at t$e +odern bourgeo#s#e #s t$e necessary

o55s(r#ng o5 t$e#r o%n 5or+ o5 soc#ety

For t$e rest, so l#ttle do t$ey conceal t$e react#onary c$aracter o5 t$e#r cr#t#c#s+ t$at

t$e#r c$#e5 accusat#on aga#nst t$e bourgeo#s a+ounts to t$#s, t$at under t$e

bourgeo#s rég#+e a class #s be#ng de2elo(ed %$#c$ #s dest#ned to cut u( root and branc$

t$e old order o5 soc#ety

W$at t$ey u(bra#d t$e bourgeo#s#e %#t$ #s not so +uc$ t$at #t creates a (roletar#at as

t$at #t creates a revolutionary (roletar#at

n (ol#t#cal (ract#ce, t$ere5ore, t$ey ?o#n #n all coerc#2e +easures aga#nst t$e %ork#ng

class; and #n ord#nary l#5e, des(#te t$e#r $#g$)5alut#n ($rases, t$ey stoo( to (#ck u( t$e

golden a((les dro((ed 5ro+ t$e tree o5 #ndustry, and to barter trut$, lo2e, and $onour, 5or

tra55#c #n %ool, beetroot)sugar, and (otato s(#r#ts(2)

.s t$e (arson $as e2er gone $and #n $and %#t$ t$e landlord, so $as 6ler#cal Soc#al#s+

%#t$ Feudal Soc#al#s+

Dot$#ng #s eas#er t$an to g#2e 6$r#st#an ascet#c#s+ a Soc#al#st t#nge as not

6$r#st#an#ty decla#+ed aga#nst (r#2ate (ro(erty, aga#nst +arr#age, aga#nst t$e State= as

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/l/e.htm#legitimists

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/y/o.htm#young-england


http://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/l/e.htm#legitimists

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/y/o.htm#young-england




#t not (reac$ed #n t$e (lace o5 t$ese, c$ar#ty and (o2erty, cel#bacy and +ort#5#cat#on o5

t$e 5les$, +onast#c l#5e and Mot$er 6$urc$= 6$r#st#an Soc#al#s+ #s but t$e $oly %ater

%#t$ %$#c$ t$e (r#est consecrates t$e $eart)burn#ngs o5 t$e ar#stocrat

!. Petty"!our#eois Socialis

:$e 5eudal ar#stocracy %as not t$e only class t$at %as ru#ned by t$e bourgeo#s#e, not

t$e only class %$ose cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence (#ned and (er#s$ed #n t$e at+os($ere o5

+odern bourgeo#s soc#ety :$e +ed#e2al burgesses and t$e s+all (easant (ro(r#etors

%ere t$e (recursors o5 t$e +odern bourgeo#s#e n t$ose countr#es %$#c$ are but l#ttlede2elo(ed, #ndustr#ally and co++erc#ally, t$ese t%o classes st#ll 2egetate s#de by s#de

%#t$ t$e r#s#ng bourgeo#s#e

n countr#es %$ere +odern c#2#l#sat#on $as beco+e 5ully de2elo(ed, a ne% class

o5 (etty bourgeo#s $as been 5or+ed, 5luctuat#ng bet%een (roletar#at and bourgeo#s#e, and

e2er rene%#ng #tsel5 as a su((le+entary (art o5 bourgeo#s soc#ety :$e #nd#2#dual

+e+bers o5 t$#s class, $o%e2er, are be#ng constantly $urled do%n #nto t$e (roletar#at by

t$e act#on o5 co+(et#t#on, and, as +odern #ndustry de2elo(s, t$ey e2en see t$e +o+enta((roac$#ng %$en t$ey %#ll co+(letely d#sa((ear as an #nde(endent sect#on o5 +odern

soc#ety, to be re(laced #n +anu5actures, agr#culture and co++erce, by o2erlookers,

ba#l#55s and s$o(+en

n countr#es l#ke France, %$ere t$e (easants const#tute 5ar +ore t$an $al5 o5 t$e

(o(ulat#on, #t %as natural t$at %r#ters %$o s#ded %#t$ t$e (roletar#at aga#nst t$e

bourgeo#s#e s$ould use, #n t$e#r cr#t#c#s+ o5 t$e bourgeo#s régime, t$e standard o5 t$e

(easant and (etty bourgeo#s, and 5ro+ t$e stand(o#nt o5 t$ese #nter+ed#ate classes,

s$ould take u( t$e cudgels 5or t$e %ork#ng class :$us arose (etty)bourgeo#s Soc#al#s+

S#s+ond# %as t$e $ead o5 t$#s sc$ool, not only #n France but also #n England

:$#s sc$ool o5 Soc#al#s+ d#ssected %#t$ great acuteness t$e contrad#ct#ons #n t$e

cond#t#ons o5 +odern (roduct#on t la#d bare t$e $y(ocr#t#cal a(olog#es o5 econo+#sts t

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/terms/p/e.htm#petty-bourgeois

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/terms/p/e.htm#petty-bourgeois



(ro2ed, #ncontro2ert#bly, t$e d#sastrous e55ects o5 +ac$#nery and d#2#s#on o5 labour; t$e

concentrat#on o5 ca(#tal and land #n a 5e% $ands; o2er(roduct#on and cr#ses; #t (o#nted

out t$e #ne2#table ru#n o5 t$e (etty bourgeo#s and (easant, t$e +#sery o5 t$e (roletar#at,

t$e anarc$y #n (roduct#on, t$e cry#ng #neBual#t#es #n t$e d#str#but#on o5 %ealt$, t$e

#ndustr#al %ar o5 exter+#nat#on bet%een nat#ons, t$e d#ssolut#on o5 old +oral bonds, o5

t$e old 5a+#ly relat#ons, o5 t$e old nat#onal#t#es

n #ts (os#t#2e a#+s, $o%e2er, t$#s 5or+ o5 Soc#al#s+ as(#res e#t$er to restor#ng t$e old

+eans o5 (roduct#on and o5 exc$ange, and %#t$ t$e+ t$e old (ro(erty relat#ons, and t$e

old soc#ety, or to cra+(#ng t$e +odern +eans o5 (roduct#on and o5 exc$ange %#t$#n t$e

5ra+e%ork o5 t$e old (ro(erty relat#ons t$at $a2e been, and %ere bound to be, ex(loded

by t$ose +eans n e#t$er case, #t #s bot$ react#onary and Gto(#an

ts last %ords are cor(orate gu#lds 5or +anu5acture; (atr#arc$al relat#ons #n

agr#culture

Glt#+ately, %$en stubborn $#stor#cal 5acts $ad d#s(ersed all #ntox#cat#ng e55ects o5

sel5)dece(t#on, t$#s 5or+ o5 Soc#al#s+ ended #n a +#serable 5#t o5 t$e blues

C. $eran or %True& Socialis

:$e Soc#al#st and 6o++un#st l#terature o5 France, a l#terature t$at or#g#nated under t$e

(ressure o5 a bourgeo#s#e #n (o%er, and t$at %as t$e ex(ress#ons o5 t$e struggle aga#nst

t$#s (o%er, %as #ntroduced #nto er+any at a t#+e %$en t$e bourgeo#s#e, #n t$at country,

$ad ?ust begun #ts contest %#t$ 5eudal absolut#s+

er+an ($#loso($ers, %ould)be ($#loso($ers, and beaux esprits 3+en o5 letters,

eagerly se#<ed on t$#s l#terature, only 5orgett#ng, t$at %$en t$ese %r#t#ngs #++#grated

5ro+ France #nto er+any, Frenc$ soc#al cond#t#ons $ad not #++#grated along %#t$

t$e+ n contact %#t$ er+an soc#al cond#t#ons, t$#s Frenc$ l#terature lost all #ts

#++ed#ate (ract#cal s#gn#5#cance and assu+ed a (urely l#terary as(ect :$us, to t$e

er+an ($#loso($ers o5 t$e E#g$teent$ 6entury, t$e de+ands o5 t$e 5#rst Frenc$



e2olut#on %ere not$#ng +ore t$an t$e de+ands o5 @"ract#cal easonA #n general, and

t$e utterance o5 t$e %#ll o5 t$e re2olut#onary Frenc$ bourgeo#s#e s#gn#5#ed, #n t$e#r eyes,

t$e la%s o5 (ure W#ll, o5 W#ll as #t %as bound to be, o5 true $u+an W#ll generally

:$e %ork o5 t$e er+an literati cons#sted solely #n br#ng#ng t$e ne% Frenc$ #deas #nto

$ar+ony %#t$ t$e#r anc#ent ($#loso($#cal consc#ence, or rat$er, #n annex#ng t$e Frenc$

#deas %#t$out desert#ng t$e#r o%n ($#loso($#c (o#nt o5 2#e%

:$#s annexat#on took (lace #n t$e sa+e %ay #n %$#c$ a 5ore#gn language #s

a((ro(r#ated, na+ely, by translat#on

t #s %ell kno%n $o% t$e +onks %rote s#lly l#2es o5 6at$ol#c Sa#nts over t$e

+anuscr#(ts on %$#c$ t$e class#cal %orks o5 anc#ent $eat$endo+ $ad been %r#tten :$e

er+an literati re2ersed t$#s (rocess %#t$ t$e (ro5ane Frenc$ l#terature :$ey %rote t$e#r

($#loso($#cal nonsense beneat$ t$e Frenc$ or#g#nal For #nstance, beneat$ t$e Frenc$

cr#t#c#s+ o5 t$e econo+#c 5unct#ons o5 +oney, t$ey %rote @.l#enat#on o5 u+an#tyA, and

beneat$ t$e Frenc$ cr#t#c#s+ o5 t$e bourgeo#s state t$ey %rote @>et$rone+ent o5 t$e

6ategory o5 t$e eneralA, and so 5ort$

:$e #ntroduct#on o5 t$ese ($#loso($#cal ($rases at t$e back o5 t$e Frenc$ $#stor#cal

cr#t#c#s+s, t$ey dubbed @"$#loso($y o5 .ct#onA, @:rue Soc#al#s+A, @er+an Sc#ence o5

Soc#al#s+A, @"$#loso($#cal Foundat#on o5 Soc#al#s+A, and so on

:$e Frenc$ Soc#al#st and 6o++un#st l#terature %as t$us co+(letely e+asculated

.nd, s#nce #t ceased #n t$e $ands o5 t$e er+an to ex(ress t$e struggle o5 one class %#t$

t$e ot$er, $e 5elt consc#ous o5 $a2#ng o2erco+e @Frenc$ one)s#dednessA and o5

re(resent#ng, not true reBu#re+ents, but t$e reBu#re+ents o5 :rut$; not t$e #nterests o5 t$e

(roletar#at, but t$e #nterests o5 u+an Dature, o5 Man #n general, %$o belongs to no

class, $as no real#ty, %$o ex#sts only #n t$e +#sty real+ o5 ($#loso($#cal 5antasy

:$#s er+an soc#al#s+, %$#c$ took #ts sc$oolboy task so ser#ously and sole+nly, and

extolled #ts (oor stock)#n)trade #n suc$ a +ountebank 5as$#on, +ean%$#le gradually lost

#ts (edant#c #nnocence



:$e 5#g$t o5 t$e er+ans, and es(ec#ally o5 t$e "russ#an bourgeo#s#e, aga#nst 5eudal

ar#stocracy and absolute +onarc$y, #n ot$er %ords, t$e l#beral +o2e+ent, beca+e +ore

earnest

-y t$#s, t$e long)%#s$ed 5or o((ortun#ty %as o55ered to @:rueA Soc#al#s+ o5

con5ront#ng t$e (ol#t#cal +o2e+ent %#t$ t$e Soc#al#st de+ands, o5 $url#ng t$e trad#t#onal

anat$e+as aga#nst l#beral#s+, aga#nst re(resentat#2e go2ern+ent, aga#nst bourgeo#s

co+(et#t#on, bourgeo#s 5reedo+ o5 t$e (ress, bourgeo#s leg#slat#on, bourgeo#s l#berty and

eBual#ty, and o5 (reac$#ng to t$e +asses t$at t$ey $ad not$#ng to ga#n, and e2eryt$#ng to

lose, by t$#s bourgeo#s +o2e+ent er+an Soc#al#s+ 5orgot, #n t$e n#ck o5 t#+e, t$at t$e

Frenc$ cr#t#c#s+, %$ose s#lly ec$o #t %as, (resu((osed t$e ex#stence o5 +odern

bourgeo#s soc#ety, %#t$ #ts corres(ond#ng econo+#c cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence, and t$e (ol#t#cal const#tut#on ada(ted t$ereto, t$e 2ery t$#ngs t$ose atta#n+ent %as t$e ob?ect o5

t$e (end#ng struggle #n er+any

:o t$e absolute go2ern+ents, %#t$ t$e#r 5ollo%#ng o5 (arsons, (ro5essors, country

sBu#res, and o55#c#als, #t ser2ed as a %elco+e scarecro% aga#nst t$e t$reaten#ng

bourgeo#s#e

t %as a s%eet 5#n#s$, a5ter t$e b#tter (#lls o5 5logg#ng and bullets, %#t$ %$#c$ t$ese

sa+e go2ern+ents, ?ust at t$at t#+e, dosed t$e er+an %ork#ng)class r#s#ngs

W$#le t$#s @:rueA Soc#al#s+ t$us ser2ed t$e go2ern+ent as a %ea(on 5or 5#g$t#ng t$e

er+an bourgeo#s#e, #t, at t$e sa+e t#+e, d#rectly re(resented a react#onary #nterest, t$e

#nterest o5 er+an "$#l#st#nes n er+any, t$e petty-bourgeois class, a rel#c o5 t$e

s#xteent$ century, and s#nce t$en constantly cro((#ng u( aga#n under t$e 2ar#ous 5or+s,

#s t$e real soc#al bas#s o5 t$e ex#st#ng state o5 t$#ngs

:o (reser2e t$#s class #s to (reser2e t$e ex#st#ng state o5 t$#ngs #n er+any :$e

#ndustr#al and (ol#t#cal su(re+acy o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e t$reatens #t %#t$ certa#n destruct#on

9 on t$e one $and, 5ro+ t$e concentrat#on o5 ca(#tal; on t$e ot$er, 5ro+ t$e r#se o5 a

re2olut#onary (roletar#at @:rueA Soc#al#s+ a((eared to k#ll t$ese t%o b#rds %#t$ one

stone t s(read l#ke an e(#de+#c



:$e robe o5 s(eculat#2e cob%ebs, e+bro#dered %#t$ 5lo%ers o5 r$etor#c, stee(ed #n t$e

de% o5 s#ckly sent#+ent, t$#s transcendental robe #n %$#c$ t$e er+an Soc#al#sts

%ra((ed t$e#r sorry @eternal trut$sA, all sk#n and bone, ser2ed to %onder5ully #ncrease

t$e sale o5 t$e#r goods a+ongst suc$ a (ubl#c

.nd on #ts (art er+an Soc#al#s+ recogn#sed, +ore and +ore, #ts o%n call#ng as t$e

bo+bast#c re(resentat#2e o5 t$e (etty)bourgeo#s "$#l#st#ne

t (rocla#+ed t$e er+an nat#on to be t$e +odel nat#on, and t$e er+an (etty

"$#l#st#ne to be t$e ty(#cal +an :o e2ery 2#lla#nous +eanness o5 t$#s +odel +an, #t ga2e

a $#dden, $#g$er, Soc#al#st#c #nter(retat#on, t$e exact contrary o5 #ts real c$aracter t %ent

to t$e extre+e lengt$ o5 d#rectly o((os#ng t$e @brutally destruct#2eA tendency o5

6o++un#s+, and o5 (rocla#+#ng #ts su(re+e and #+(art#al conte+(t o5 all class

struggles W#t$ 2ery 5e% exce(t#ons, all t$e so)called Soc#al#st and 6o++un#st

(ubl#cat#ons t$at no% 31847 c#rculate #n er+any belong to t$e do+a#n o5 t$#s 5oul and

ener2at#ng l#terature(3)

2. Conservative or Bourgeois Socialism

. (art o5 t$e bourgeo#s#e #s des#rous o5 redress#ng soc#al gr#e2ances #n order to secure

t$e cont#nued ex#stence o5 bourgeo#s soc#ety

:o t$#s sect#on belong econo+#sts, ($#lant$ro(#sts, $u+an#tar#ans, #+(ro2ers o5 t$e

cond#t#on o5 t$e %ork#ng class, organ#sers o5 c$ar#ty, +e+bers o5 soc#et#es 5or t$e

(re2ent#on o5 cruelty to an#+als, te+(erance 5anat#cs, $ole)and)corner re5or+ers o5

e2ery #+ag#nable k#nd :$#s 5or+ o5 soc#al#s+ $as, +oreo2er, been %orked out #nto

co+(lete syste+s

We +ay c#te "roud$onCs Philosophie de la Misère as an exa+(le o5 t$#s 5or+

:$e Soc#al#st#c bourgeo#s %ant all t$e ad2antages o5 +odern soc#al cond#t#ons %#t$out

t$e struggles and dangers necessar#ly result#ng t$ere5ro+ :$ey des#re t$e ex#st#ng state





o5 soc#ety, +#nus #ts re2olut#onary and d#s#ntegrat#ng ele+ents :$ey %#s$ 5or a

bourgeo#s#e %#t$out a (roletar#at :$e bourgeo#s#e naturally conce#2es t$e %orld #n %$#c$

#t #s su(re+e to be t$e best; and bourgeo#s Soc#al#s+ de2elo(s t$#s co+5ortable

conce(t#on #nto 2ar#ous +ore or less co+(lete syste+s n reBu#r#ng t$e (roletar#at to

carry out suc$ a syste+, and t$ereby to +arc$ stra#g$t%ay #nto t$e soc#al De% erusale+,

#t but reBu#res #n real#ty, t$at t$e (roletar#at s$ould re+a#n %#t$#n t$e bounds o5 ex#st#ng

soc#ety, but s$ould cast a%ay all #ts $ate5ul #deas concern#ng t$e bourgeo#s#e

. second, and +ore (ract#cal, but less syste+at#c, 5or+ o5 t$#s Soc#al#s+ soug$t to

de(rec#ate e2ery re2olut#onary +o2e+ent #n t$e eyes o5 t$e %ork#ng class by s$o%#ng

t$at no +ere (ol#t#cal re5or+, but only a c$ange #n t$e +ater#al cond#t#ons o5 ex#stence,

#n econo+#cal relat#ons, could be o5 any ad2antage to t$e+ -y c$anges #n t$e +ater#alcond#t#ons o5 ex#stence, t$#s 5or+ o5 Soc#al#s+, $o%e2er, by no +eans understands

abol#t#on o5 t$e bourgeo#s relat#ons o5 (roduct#on, an abol#t#on t$at can be a55ected only

by a re2olut#on, but ad+#n#strat#2e re5or+s, based on t$e cont#nued ex#stence o5 t$ese

relat#ons; re5or+s, t$ere5ore, t$at #n no res(ect a55ect t$e relat#ons bet%een ca(#tal and

labour, but, at t$e best, lessen t$e cost, and s#+(l#5y t$e ad+#n#strat#2e %ork, o5

bourgeo#s go2ern+ent

-ourgeo#s Soc#al#s+ atta#ns adeBuate ex(ress#on %$en, and only %$en, #t beco+es a+ere 5#gure o5 s(eec$

Free trade 5or t$e bene5#t o5 t$e %ork#ng class "rotect#2e dut#es 5or t$e bene5#t o5 t$e

%ork#ng class "r#son e5or+ 5or t$e bene5#t o5 t$e %ork#ng class :$#s #s t$e last %ord

and t$e only ser#ously +eant %ord o5 bourgeo#s soc#al#s+

t #s su++ed u( #n t$e ($rase t$e bourgeo#s #s a bourgeo#s 9 5or t$e bene5#t o5 t$e

%ork#ng class



3. Critical-Utopian Socialism and Communism

We do not $ere re5er to t$at l#terature %$#c$, #n e2ery great +odern re2olut#on, $as

al%ays g#2en 2o#ce to t$e de+ands o5 t$e (roletar#at, suc$ as t$e %r#t#ngs o5 -abeu5 and

ot$ers

:$e 5#rst d#rect atte+(ts o5 t$e (roletar#at to atta#n #ts o%n ends, +ade #n t#+es o5

un#2ersal exc#te+ent, %$en 5eudal soc#ety %as be#ng o2ert$ro%n, necessar#ly 5a#led,

o%#ng to t$e t$en unde2elo(ed state o5 t$e (roletar#at, as %ell as to t$e absence o5 t$e

econo+#c cond#t#ons 5or #ts e+anc#(at#on, cond#t#ons t$at $ad yet to be (roduced, and

could be (roduced by t$e #+(end#ng bourgeo#s e(oc$ alone :$e re2olut#onary l#terature

t$at acco+(an#ed t$ese 5#rst +o2e+ents o5 t$e (roletar#at $ad necessar#ly a react#onary

c$aracter t #nculcated un#2ersal ascet#c#s+ and soc#al le2ell#ng #n #ts crudest 5or+

:$e Soc#al#st and 6o++un#st syste+s, (ro(erly so called, t$ose o5 Sa#nt)

S#+on, Four#er , !%en, and ot$ers, s(r#ng #nto ex#stence #n t$e early unde2elo(ed (er#od,

descr#bed abo2e, o5 t$e struggle bet%een (roletar#at and bourgeo#s#e 3seeSect#on 1

-ourgeo#s and "roletar#ans

:$e 5ounders o5 t$ese syste+s see, #ndeed, t$e class antagon#s+s, as %ell as t$e act#on

o5 t$e deco+(os#ng ele+ents #n t$e (re2a#l#ng 5or+ o5 soc#ety -ut t$e (roletar#at, as yet

#n #ts #n5ancy, o55ers to t$e+ t$e s(ectacle o5 a class %#t$out any $#stor#cal #n#t#at#2e or

any #nde(endent (ol#t#cal +o2e+ent

S#nce t$e de2elo(+ent o5 class antagon#s+ kee(s e2en (ace %#t$ t$e de2elo(+ent o5

#ndustry, t$e econo+#c s#tuat#on, as t$ey 5#nd #t, does not as yet o55er to t$e+ t$e +ater#al

cond#t#ons 5or t$e e+anc#(at#on o5 t$e (roletar#at :$ey t$ere5ore searc$ a5ter a ne%

soc#al sc#ence, a5ter ne% soc#al la%s, t$at are to create t$ese cond#t#ons

#stor#cal act#on #s to y#eld to t$e#r (ersonal #n2ent#2e act#on; $#stor#cally created

cond#t#ons o5 e+anc#(at#on to 5antast#c ones; and t$e gradual, s(ontaneous class

organ#sat#on o5 t$e (roletar#at to an organ#sat#on o5 soc#ety es(ec#ally contr#2ed by t$ese

#n2entors Future $#story resol2es #tsel5, #n t$e#r eyes, #nto t$e (ro(aganda and t$e

(ract#cal carry#ng out o5 t$e#r soc#al (lans

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/b/a.htm#francois-babeuf

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/s/a.htm#st-simon




http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/f/o.htm#fourier

http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/o/w.htm#owen





http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/b/a.htm#francois-babeuf



http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/f/o.htm#fourier






n t$e 5or+at#on o5 t$e#r (lans, t$ey are consc#ous o5 car#ng c$#e5ly 5or t$e #nterests o5

t$e %ork#ng class, as be#ng t$e +ost su55er#ng class !nly 5ro+ t$e (o#nt o5 2#e% o5

be#ng t$e +ost su55er#ng class does t$e (roletar#at ex#st 5or t$e+

:$e unde2elo(ed state o5 t$e class struggle, as %ell as t$e#r o%n surround#ngs, causes

Soc#al#sts o5 t$#s k#nd to cons#der t$e+sel2es 5ar su(er#or to all class antagon#s+s :$ey

%ant to #+(ro2e t$e cond#t#on o5 e2ery +e+ber o5 soc#ety, e2en t$at o5 t$e +ost

5a2oured ence, t$ey $ab#tually a((eal to soc#ety at large, %#t$out t$e d#st#nct#on o5

class; nay, by (re5erence, to t$e rul#ng class For $o% can (eo(le, %$en once t$ey

understand t$e#r syste+, 5a#l to see #n #t t$e best (oss#ble (lan o5 t$e best (oss#ble state o5

soc#ety=

ence, t$ey re?ect all (ol#t#cal, and es(ec#ally all re2olut#onary act#on; t$ey %#s$ to

atta#n t$e#r ends by (eace5ul +eans, necessar#ly doo+ed to 5a#lure, and by t$e 5orce o5

exa+(le, to (a2e t$e %ay 5or t$e ne% soc#al os(el

Suc$ 5antast#c (#ctures o5 5uture soc#ety, (a#nted at a t#+e %$en t$e (roletar#at #s st#ll

#n a 2ery unde2elo(ed state and $as but a 5antast#c conce(t#on o5 #ts o%n (os#t#on,

corres(ond %#t$ t$e 5#rst #nst#nct#2e yearn#ngs o5 t$at class 5or a general reconstruct#on o5

soc#ety

-ut t$ese Soc#al#st and 6o++un#st (ubl#cat#ons conta#n also a cr#t#cal ele+ent :$ey

attack e2ery (r#nc#(le o5 ex#st#ng soc#ety ence, t$ey are 5ull o5 t$e +ost 2aluable

+ater#als 5or t$e enl#g$ten+ent o5 t$e %ork#ng class :$e (ract#cal +easures (ro(osed #n

t$e+ 9 suc$ as t$e abol#t#on o5 t$e d#st#nct#on bet%een to%n and country, o5 t$e 5a+#ly,

o5 t$e carry#ng on o5 #ndustr#es 5or t$e account o5 (r#2ate #nd#2#duals, and o5 t$e %age

syste+, t$e (rocla+at#on o5 soc#al $ar+ony, t$e con2ers#on o5 t$e 5unct#on o5 t$e state

#nto a +ore su(er#ntendence o5 (roduct#on 9 all t$ese (ro(osals (o#nt solely to t$e

d#sa((earance o5 class antagon#s+s %$#c$ %ere, at t$at t#+e, only ?ust cro((#ng u(, and

%$#c$, #n t$ese (ubl#cat#ons, are recogn#sed #n t$e#r earl#est #nd#st#nct and unde5#ned

5or+s only :$ese (ro(osals, t$ere5ore, are o5 a (urely Gto(#an c$aracter

:$e s#gn#5#cance o5 6r#t#cal)Gto(#an Soc#al#s+ and 6o++un#s+ bears an #n2erse

relat#on to $#stor#cal de2elo(+ent n (ro(ort#on as t$e +odern class struggle de2elo(s



and takes de5#n#te s$a(e, t$#s 5antast#c stand#ng a(art 5ro+ t$e contest, t$ese 5antast#c

attacks on #t, lose all (ract#cal 2alue and all t$eoret#cal ?ust#5#cat#on :$ere5ore, alt$oug$

t$e or#g#nators o5 t$ese syste+s %ere, #n +any res(ects, re2olut#onary, t$e#r d#sc#(les

$a2e, #n e2ery case, 5or+ed +ere react#onary sects :$ey $old 5ast by t$e or#g#nal 2#e%s

o5 t$e#r +asters, #n o((os#t#on to t$e (rogress#2e $#stor#cal de2elo(+ent o5 t$e

(roletar#at :$ey, t$ere5ore, endea2our, and t$at cons#stently, to deaden t$e class struggle

and to reconc#le t$e class antagon#s+s :$ey st#ll drea+ o5 ex(er#+ental real#sat#on o5

t$e#r soc#al Gto(#as, o5 5ound#ng #solated @($alansteresA, o5 establ#s$#ng @o+e

6olon#esA, or sett#ng u( a @L#ttle car#aA (4) 9 duodec#+o ed#t#ons o5 t$e De% erusale+

9 and to real#se all t$ese castles #n t$e a#r, t$ey are co+(elled to a((eal to t$e 5eel#ngs

and (urses o5 t$e bourgeo#s -y degrees, t$ey s#nk #nto t$e category o5 t$e react#onary

HorI conser2at#2e Soc#al#sts de(#cted abo2e, d#55er#ng 5ro+ t$ese only by +ore syste+at#c

(edantry, and by t$e#r 5anat#cal and su(erst#t#ous bel#e5 #n t$e +#raculous e55ects o5 t$e#r

soc#al sc#ence

:$ey, t$ere5ore, 2#olently o((ose all (ol#t#cal act#on on t$e (art o5 t$e %ork#ng class;

suc$ act#on, accord#ng to t$e+, can only result 5ro+ bl#nd unbel#e5 #n t$e ne% os(el

:$e !%en#tes #n England, and t$e Four#er#sts #n France, res(ect#2ely, o((ose t$e

6$art#sts and t$e Réformistes

apter IV. Position of the Communists in

Relation to the Various Existing pposition

Parties

Sect#on $as +ade clear t$e relat#ons o5 t$e 6o++un#sts to t$e ex#st#ng %ork#ng)

class (art#es, suc$ as t$e 6$art#sts #n England and t$e .grar#an e5or+ers #n .+er#ca

:$e 6o++un#sts 5#g$t 5or t$e atta#n+ent o5 t$e #++ed#ate a#+s, 5or t$e en5orce+ent

o5 t$e +o+entary #nterests o5 t$e %ork#ng class; but #n t$e +o2e+ent o5 t$e (resent, t$ey

also re(resent and take care o5 t$e 5uture o5 t$at +o2e+ent n France, t$e 6o++un#sts



http://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/c/h.htm#chartists



http://www.marxists.org/glossary/orgs/c/h.htm#chartists



ally %#t$ t$e Soc#al)>e+ocrats(1) aga#nst t$e conser2at#2e and rad#cal bourgeo#s#e,

reser2#ng, $o%e2er, t$e r#g$t to take u( a cr#t#cal (os#t#on #n regard to ($ases and

#llus#ons trad#t#onally $anded do%n 5ro+ t$e great e2olut#on

n S%#t<erland, t$ey su((ort t$e ad#cals, %#t$out los#ng s#g$t o5 t$e 5act t$at t$#s

(arty cons#sts o5 antagon#st#c ele+ents, (artly o5 >e+ocrat#c Soc#al#sts, #n t$e Frenc$

sense, (artly o5 rad#cal bourgeo#s

n "oland, t$ey su((ort t$e (arty t$at #ns#sts on an agrar#an re2olut#on as t$e (r#+e

cond#t#on 5or nat#onal e+anc#(at#on, t$at (arty %$#c$ 5o+ented t$e #nsurrect#on o5

6raco% #n 184'

n er+any, t$ey 5#g$t %#t$ t$e bourgeo#s#e %$ene2er #t acts #n a re2olut#onary %ay,

aga#nst t$e absolute +onarc$y, t$e 5eudal sBu#rearc$y, and t$e (etty bourgeo#s#e

-ut t$ey ne2er cease, 5or a s#ngle #nstant, to #nst#ll #nto t$e %ork#ng class t$e clearest

(oss#ble recogn#t#on o5 t$e $ost#le antagon#s+ bet%een bourgeo#s#e and (roletar#at, #n

order t$at t$e er+an %orkers +ay stra#g$t%ay use, as so +any %ea(ons aga#nst t$e

bourgeo#s#e, t$e soc#al and (ol#t#cal cond#t#ons t$at t$e bourgeo#s#e +ust necessar#ly

#ntroduce along %#t$ #ts su(re+acy, and #n order t$at, a5ter t$e 5all o5 t$e react#onary

classes #n er+any, t$e 5#g$t aga#nst t$e bourgeo#s#e #tsel5 +ay #++ed#ately beg#n

:$e 6o++un#sts turn t$e#r attent#on c$#e5ly to er+any, because t$at country #s on

t$e e2e o5 a bourgeo#s re2olut#on t$at #s bound to be carr#ed out under +ore ad2anced

cond#t#ons o5 Euro(ean c#2#l#sat#on and %#t$ a +uc$ +ore de2elo(ed (roletar#at t$an t$at

o5 England %as #n t$e se2enteent$, and France #n t$e e#g$teent$ century, and because t$e

bourgeo#s re2olut#on #n er+any %#ll be but t$e (relude to an #++ed#ately 5ollo%#ng

(roletar#an re2olut#on

n s$ort, t$e 6o++un#sts e2ery%$ere su((ort e2ery re2olut#onary +o2e+ent aga#nst

t$e ex#st#ng soc#al and (ol#t#cal order o5 t$#ngs

n all t$ese +o2e+ents, t$ey br#ng to t$e 5ront, as t$e lead#ng Buest#on #n eac$, t$e

(ro(erty Buest#on, no +atter %$at #ts degree o5 de2elo(+ent at t$e t#+e





F#nally, t$ey labour e2ery%$ere 5or t$e un#on and agree+ent o5 t$e de+ocrat#c (art#es

o5 all countr#es

:$e 6o++un#sts d#sda#n to conceal t$e#r 2#e%s and a#+s :$ey o(enly declare t$at

t$e#r ends can be atta#ned only by t$e 5orc#ble o2ert$ro% o5 all ex#st#ng soc#al cond#t#ons

Let t$e rul#ng classes tre+ble at a 6o++un#st#c re2olut#on :$e (roletar#ans $a2e

not$#ng to lose but t$e#r c$a#ns :$ey $a2e a %orld to %#n

!or"ing Men of #ll Countries$ %nite&

(' :$e (arty t$en re(resented #n "arl#a+ent by Ledru)oll#n, #n l#terature by

Lou#s -lanc, #n t$e da#ly (ress by t$e Réforme :$e na+e o5 Soc#al)>e+ocracys#gn#5#es, %#t$ t$ese #ts #n2entors, a sect#on o5 t$e >e+ocrat#c or e(ubl#can "arty

+ore or less t#nged %#t$ soc#al#s+ HEngels, Engl#s$ Ed#t#on 1888I

' ' '

:$e 5a+ous 5#nal ($rase o5 t$e Man#5esto, @Work#ng Men o5 .ll 6ountr#es,

Gn#teJA, #n t$e or#g#nal er+an #s @ Proletarier aller Lnder! vereinigt eu"h#A

:$us, a +ore correct translat#on %ould be @"roletar#ans o5 all countr#es, Gn#teJA

@Workers o5 t$e World, Gn#te Kou $a2e not$#ng to lose but your c$a#nsJA #s a

(o(ular#sat#on o5 t$e last t$ree sentences, and #s not 5ound #n any o55#c#al

translat#on S#nce t$#s Engl#s$ translat#on %as a((ro2ed by Engels, %e $a2e ke(t

t$e or#g#nal #ntact

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch04.htm#ab1

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch04.htm#ab1

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