The Communist Manifesto is a political document written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, first published in 1848. It outlines the basic principles of communism and lays out the goals and methods of the Communist movement. The document is divided into four sections: the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat, Proletarians and Communists, Socialist and Communist Literature, and finally, the position of the Communists in relation to the various existing opposition parties.
The first section of the Communist Manifesto begins by describing the historical development of class struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie, or the ruling class, emerged from the decline of feudalism and the rise of industrialization, while the proletariat, or working class, emerged as a result of the capitalist mode of production. The document argues that the capitalist system is inherently exploitative, with the bourgeoisie profiting off of the labor of the proletariat, who are paid wages that are always lower than the value of the goods they produce.
The second section of the manifesto outlines the goals and methods of the Communist movement. The Communist Manifesto argues that the only way to overcome the exploitative nature of capitalism is through the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless society. In a communist society, the means of production would be owned and controlled by the workers themselves, rather than by a small group of capitalists. This would eliminate the exploitation of the working class and create a society in which everyone had an equal stake in the production and distribution of goods.
The third section of the manifesto addresses the various forms of socialism and communism that existed at the time of its writing. The authors argue that many of these movements were misguided, as they failed to recognize the importance of the class struggle and the need for the proletariat to take control of the means of production. They also critique the ideas of various other socialist and communist thinkers, including Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Louis Blanc, and Ferdinand Lassalle.
The final section of the manifesto lays out the position of the Communist movement in relation to other political parties and movements. The authors argue that the Communist movement represents the true interests of the proletariat, and that other parties and movements that claim to represent the working class are merely trying to maintain the status quo. They argue that the Communist movement should not align itself with any other political party or movement, as doing so would compromise its principles and goals.
Overall, the Communist Manifesto is a call to action for the proletariat to rise up and overthrow the bourgeoisie, and to establish a classless society in which everyone has an equal stake in the production and distribution of goods. It has been hugely influential in shaping political movements and ideologies throughout the world, and its ideas continue to be debated and discussed today.