Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engles - Essay Example The Marxist conflict theory views capitalist production as an essential element of class struggle. A social class consists of individuals grouped in relation to their ability to produce wealth and in their shared relationship to those that own the production methods. â€Å"For Marx and Engels the class struggle between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class) is the great lever of modern social change† (Knox, 1988: 160). The three classes Marx identified based on their income source, labour, capitalist and landowner status are today known as the low classes, labour and capitalist. This theory of class distinction is criticized by some who do not term class by means of ownership or the methods of wealth creation but with regard to lifestyle and prestige. However, this point of view seems very hollow when considering that a mere two percent of the world’s population possess enough wealth to subsist comfortably on the revenue it provides while the vast majority are employed by others or survive via welfare benefits. (Marx & Engels, 1958) Marx theorized that the conversion of minds and social structures to communism would end the divisions between social class in addition erasing the tyrannical line that divides governmental authority and society. There would be no need for political institutions or private property. Social justice would not have to be legislated because the antagonistic obstruction to social accord Marx believes stems from an individual’s ego and ‘one-sided development’ would be all but eliminated. (Marx & Engels, 1958). Marxism theorizes that as capitalism persists, it exacerbates the misery level for working class individuals. Marxist theory envisions the future of society as free of capitalism, replaced by the collective utopia brought about by communism. This was thought to be the natural course of mankind in which Marx had drawn-up the blueprint (Hunt, 1974: 212).