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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, $as (layed a +ost re2olut#onary (art
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:$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%$ere
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:$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
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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$
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+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
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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$e
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conseBuence o5 t$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)$oursC b#ll #n England %as carr#ed
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.ltoget$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
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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+,
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+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$e 2ar#ous stages o5 de2elo(+ent
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%$#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$e ground%ork o5 all (ersonal
5reedo+, act#2#ty and #nde(endence
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ard)%on, sel5)acBu#red, sel5)earned (ro(ertyJ >o you +ean t$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
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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$e %ay, and +ade
#+(oss#ble
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6o++un#s+ de(r#2es no +an o5 t$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
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!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 $as ex#sted al+ost 5ro+ t#+e
#++e+or#al
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!ur bourgeo#s, not content %#t$ $a2#ng %#2es and daug$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 $#s soc#al l#5e=
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W$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+
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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
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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($e
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n t$#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$e State= as
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#t not (reac$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 $y(ocr#t#cal a(olog#es o5 econo+#sts t
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(ro2ed, #ncontro2ert#bly, t$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$
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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
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:$e 5#g$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
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:$e robe o5 s(eculat#2e cob%ebs, e+bro#dered %#t$ 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
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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
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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$e#r soc#al (lans
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n t$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
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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
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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$e t#+e
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F#nally, t$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