Communism and Karl Marx :: Communism Essays

Karl Marx was an idealist. He observed the cruelties and injustices that the poor working class endured during the period of industrial revolution, and was inspired to write of a society in which no oppression existed for any class of people. Marx believed in a revolution that would end socialism and capitalism, and focus on communist principles. The Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx, describes the goals of the communist party for ending exploitation of the working class and creating a society in which there is equality without social classes. As a historian, philosopher, and revolutionary, Marx has helped shaped the society of the past, present and future. He is known for being a liberal reformist who believed that capitalism could be reformed and inequality of the working classes could be addressed and abolished. I agree with Marx?s view points and feel he is a man that has achieved many great experiences throughout his lifetime for which he is remembered. "In communist society, where nobody has one exclusive sphere of activity but each can become accomplished in any branch he wishes, society regulates the general production and thus makes it possible for me to do one thing today and another tomorrow, to hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticize after dinner, just as I have a mind, without ever becoming hunter, fisherman, herdsman or critic." Marx idea gives the individual the ability to make choices, and the responsibility for the consequences of those choices. He attacks capitalism and criticizes it importunately because it produces inequality, reduces the family relationship, destroys small business, and enslaves. With a Capitalist system governing the society, powerful forces of self interest have a natural tendency to lead to collusion and corruption. In other words capitalist tend to seek power and to use it to rig the market to their favor to detriment of the society. Marx knew the class struggles that were apparent in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and how the division of classes affected one?s life. The bourgeoisie was the wealthy upper class and they proletariats were the lower working classes of Europe. This is where the theme of autonomy and responsibility steps in and plays a role in the changes that were made in society.