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The Communist Manifesto
WRITTEN BY:
Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels
NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott
The Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848, is considered one of the most influential political documents in modern history. The manifesto outlines the basic principles of communism, a political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless society in which the means of production are collectively owned and controlled by the workers.
It was written during a time of great political and economic change and helped to define and shape the communist movement that would go on to have a major impact on world events in the 20th century. The ideological influence of The Communist Manifesto has had a profound impact on political and economic thought and has inspired countless political movements and organizations around the world. It critiques capitalism and argues that it creates poverty, inequality, and exploitation. This critique remains relevant today as concerns about income inequality and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few continue to be pressing issues and outlines a vision of a classless society in which everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities. This idea continues to inspire political and social movements aimed at creating a more equitable and just world.
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ThoughtAudio PDF Transcript: TA0028_TheCommunistManifesto_MarxEngels.pdf
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Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. Born in 1818 in Trier, Germany, he is best known for his ideas about the nature of society and its relation to economics, which form the basis of Marxist theory. Marx’s most famous works include “The Communist Manifesto” (co-written with Friedrich Engels) and “Das Kapital”. He believed that history is shaped by class struggles and that capitalism, which he saw as a system of exploitation, would eventually give way to communism, a classless society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the workers. Marx’s ideas have had a significant impact on the political and economic landscape of the 20th century, particularly in countries such as the Soviet Union and China.
Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) was a German philosopher, economist, and political theorist. He was a close collaborator and friend of Karl Marx and co-wrote “The Communist Manifesto” with him in 1848. Engels was born into a wealthy family in Germany and initially worked in the family business, but he eventually became involved in political activism and writing. In addition to his work with Marx, Engels wrote several influential books, including “The Condition of the Working Class in England” and “Anti-Dühring”. His ideas and writings played a key role in the development of Marxist theory and the socialist movement.