Why was the Communist Manifesto so influential?

A specter haunts Europe – the specter of communism. 

You’ve probably heard the beginning of the Communist Manifesto countless times, a work that is the ideological reading of many leftists. That work is also one of the most important political works of the 20th century because it influenced epochal changes in the world political scene a little more than a century ago. Let’s take a look at the very essence of this work, as well as see what impact it had on the entire political scene at the time it was created.

A thorough critique of the capitalist system provides the core of the Communist Manifesto. Marx and Engels contend that capitalism’s relentless pursuit of profit lays the groundwork for its demise. They claim that the bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat in its continuous pursuit of markets, leading to class strife. According to the Manifesto, the only way to end this war is for the proletariat to rise against the bourgeoisie and create a communist society devoid of class divisions. Large segments of society, especially the working class, found this critique and solution to be persuasive, spreading the seeds of revolutionary thought.

Regarding the critique of capitalism, Marx and Engels write, “The bourgeoisie, wherever it has got the upper hand, has put an end to all feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations… It has pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his ‘natural superiors,’ and has left remaining no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest, than callous ‘cash payment’.” (Chapter 1: Bourgeois and Proletarians)

On the idea of a proletariat revolution and the establishment of a communist society, they state, “The proletariat will use its political supremacy to wrest, by degrees, all capital from the bourgeoisie, to centralize all instruments of production in the hands of the State… Of course, in the beginning, this cannot be effected except using despotic inroads on the rights of property, and on the conditions of bourgeois production…” (Chapter 2: Proletarians and Communists)

Lastly, the Manifesto’s vision of a future communist society is encapsulated in this famous quote: “In place of the old bourgeois society, with its classes and class antagonisms, we shall have an association in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.” (Chapter 2: Proletarians and Communists)

The global reach of the Communist Manifesto further underscores its influence. It has been translated into countless languages and has inspired revolutions and political movements worldwide. Its principles underpinned the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, the establishment of Communist China, and the rise of socialist states in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Manifesto’s ideas also found expression in labor movements, social policies, and political parties in non-communist countries. Its impact reverberated through the corridors of power, challenging established norms and systems.

Yet the influence of the Communist Manifesto extends beyond political movements and revolutions. It has left an indelible mark on academia, intellectual thought, and popular culture. The Marxist critique of capitalism has become a cornerstone of sociological analysis, inspiring myriad theoretical perspectives in the social sciences. Scholars across disciplines grapple with Marx’s concepts of class struggle, alienation, commodity fetishism, and the materialist conception of history. Furthermore, the Manifesto has influenced literature, cinema, art, and music, its themes seeping into the cultural fabric of societies around the globe.

However, the influence of the Communist Manifesto is not merely historical. In the 21st century, amidst growing economic inequality and social unrest, its critique of capitalism still resonates. The 2008 financial crisis, the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the resurgence of socialist ideas in mainstream political discourse – these phenomena have renewed interest in Marx and Engels’ seminal work. The Manifesto continues to inspire, provoke, and challenge, reflecting its enduring relevance.

The Communist Manifesto’s influence is thus rooted in its ideological potency, its historical resonance, its global reach, and its multi-dimensional impact. It embodies the spirit of an era, giving voice to the dispossessed and challenging the status quo. But more than a political tract, it is a mirror of society, reflecting its contradictions and conflicts. The Communist Manifesto is more than a document; it is a force, an idea, that continues to shape our world. The echo of Marx and Engels’ words continues to resonate, a testament to the enduring influence of the Communist Manifesto.

The historical setting of the Communist Manifesto is intrinsically linked to the economic and social changes of the 19th century, particularly those brought on by the Industrial Revolution. The Manifesto was published in 1848, which is often referred to as “the year of revolutions” because of the significant political unrest that occurred in Europe during that year. The Manifesto’s ideas reflected and contributed to defining the chaotic period in which it was written, therefore this was no coincidence.

Economic systems and social structures were substantially affected by the late 18th-century Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain and spread to the rest of Europe and North America in the 19th century. It introduced mechanical manufacturing methods, encouraged the expansion of industries, and significantly increased the productivity of society. But it also resulted in significant social disruption.

Many workers were uprooted from rural communities and traditional ways of life and thrown into new urban industrial environments. The working conditions at factories, which were frequently inhumane, were commonplace and included long hours, little pay, and dangerous situations. Child labor was widespread. The gap between the rich and the poor grew wider and more pronounced.

The working class, or proletariat, was hardest hit by the economic changes, while the capitalist class, or bourgeoisie, enjoyed great profits. Due to this discrepancy, Marx and Engels identified class conflict as the main force behind historical progress.

Additionally, rising bourgeois classes and changing economic conditions were exerting increasing strain on the previous feudal structures and kingdoms. The Manifesto was drafted in 1848, a year in which upheavals against despotism took place in Germany, France, Italy, and other European countries. The beliefs backed by these upheavals were usually liberal and nationalist.

In this setting of social and political instability, Marx and Engels penned the Communist Manifesto, which offered a theoretical framework for comprehending the upheavals. They framed the struggles as part of a larger historical pattern of class warfare and saw the development of a communist society as the solution once the proletariat rose to power.

By capturing the frustrations of the proletariat and providing a radical vision for a different society, the Manifesto resonated with many people of the time. Its influence was not just a result of the potency of its ideas, but also the critical historical moment it emerged from. The Industrial Revolution and the wave of revolutions in 1848 provided fertile ground for the seeds of Marx and Engels’ ideas to take root and grow.