Class Struggle and Revolution

This assignment analyzes Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' 'Communist Manifesto,' focusing on their theory of class struggle between the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (workers). It examines how the authors argue that the inherent contradictions within capitalism will lead to a proletarian revolution, ultimately resulting in a communist society. The analysis delves into concepts such as false consciousness, historical materialism, and the role of technology in shaping class relations.

Running head: THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE 1
The Communist Manifesto: The Destruction of the Bourgeoisie
Name
University

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE 2
The Communist Manifesto: The Destruction of the Bourgeoisie
Introduction
The bourgeoisie as observed by Karl Marx have always flourished with the Proletarians
sinking in the heights of poverty over the history. ‘…the modern bourgeoisie is itself a long
course of development, a series of revolutions in the modes of production and exchange (Marx &
Engels, 1847).’ The aspects that favor the bourgeoisie's progress are also the most likely factors
that will result in their downfall. The owners of the means of production (bourgeoisie) have for
long taken advantage of the workers and the slaves (proletariats) (Sokel, 2000). The continued
exploitation can be explained by the fact that the proletariats are always competing for the
meager salaries given by the employers amongst themselves creating conflicts and disunity
amongst themselves. Also, the advancements in the modern technology were first experienced by
the bourgeoisie, and they used them to their own advantage. Precisely, the tools that have been
continuously used to amass wealth among the high-class will definitely be used as the tools of
their destruction.
Marx opined that the capitalist bourgeoisie without any shred of tenderness exploited the
proletariat. The work executed by the proletariat contributed to the creation of a lot wealth for
the capitalists but they were (workers) very little in return (Marx & Engels, 1847). Marx went
further to note that the products created from the industries and factories were more valuable
than the labor used to bring them into existence. Marx was using this statement to criticize the
meagre salary that was being paid to the works compared to the market price of the products they
created. The Marx observation can be attributed to the continued ownership and control of the
productions means by the capitalists. This means that the wealthy continued getting rich every
day at the expense of the poor workers who did not benefit from the fruits of their labor.
The Bourgeoisies after discovering that the work performed by the proletariats can yield
lots of profits; they mercilessly utilized the proletariat (Lamb, 2015). The products created in the
factories by the workers were sold for more than twice the cost of the labor. To increase their
production, the factories hired more labor at low wages. The under-class ungrudgingly agreed to
work for the low wages to cater for their most basic needs. For example, a worker paid $2 could
produce goods or services worth $10. The owner of the means of production by this will

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE 3
accumulate millions of dollars as profit. The laborer minimally benefits from the fruits of his/her
own labor.
The capitalist owing to his financial command has ruined the once existing good family
relationships resulting to conflicts over wealth and money. ‘The bourgeoisie has torn away from
the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relations into mere monetary
relationships (Marx & Engels, 1847).' The divisions are a well-calculated formula to obtain and
retain more work forces at the production schemes. The competition among brothers to secure a
job creates an advantage to the factories. The higher the competition among the workers, the
lower the prices for labor to be paid per unit time. The conflict among the low-class individuals
is a perfect tool for the capitalists to earn more profits.
The advancements in technology also explain the continued rule of the industries by the
bourgeoisie. The owners of industries and factories have greatly been favored by the modern
trends of communication. The series of industrial revolution in the continent is also a well
working plan for the bourgeoisie. ‘ The bourgeoisie, by the rapid improvement of all instruments
of production, by the immensely facilitated means of communication, draws all, even the most
barbarian nations into civilization (Marx & Engels, 1847).’ The modern tools of production are
used to either replace human labor or even reduce the rates of working per unit time. The
underclass are commonly threatened to work for more reduced wages, or else they lose their
jobs. Due to desperation, they continue to suffer at the hands of their masters. The invention in
communications has opened up new markets for the bourgeoisie. Online marketing has led to an
increase in the gross sales in every financial year. The oppressed do not get any pay increase
from their oppressors even with the improved sales.
The bourgeoisie have had an experience of being a radical class, the proletariat are
dreaming of taking over the world (Panitch, 2015). However, the means of production
perpetuated by the bourgeoisie are the fruits containing their own seeds of destruction. ‘The
weapons with which the bourgeoisie felled feudalism to the ground are now turned against the
bourgeoisie itself (Marx & Engels, 1847).’ The capitalists are highly dependent on the
communists. If the bourgeoisie does not pay back the efforts of the do not pay back the efforts of
the proletariat appropriately, then they are on their eve of demise. The oppressed will soon seize
power if their interests continue to be undermined. Marx argues, ‘what the bourgeoisie,

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE 4
therefore, produces, above all, is its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat
are equally inevitable (Marx & Engels, 1847).’ The same mechanisms that the high-class used to
climb up the ladder will be used by the low class to bring them down and occupy their place at
the top.
Ultimately, the proletariat will launch a revolution against the bourgeoisie. The oppressed
will soon discover the need of unity towards an achievement. The continued oppression of the
proletariat will create a great resentment which will bring back their lost conscious. The
regaining of the conscious will mark the start of a renaissance period. They will then join their
hands together to fight their common enemy. The reunion of the workers will be a source of
great ideologies. The presumption that the capitalists have inherent supremacy will be dismissed.
According to Marx & Engels (1847), in the contemporary society, the bourgeoisie is like a
sorcerer. Just the way the powers of a sorcerer fade away with time so does the superiority of the
capitalists. Soon, the bourgeoisie will be unable to control the economy of the world they once
cast their spells.
With the modern developments in the industrial sector, the number of the proletariat has not
only multiplied but also grown more civilized. The conflicts among laborers have been dissolved
owing to similar wages, similar lifestyles and similar financial constraints. The workers have
resolved to form trade unions and other organization which will aid in a collective bargaining of
their rights. The workers being the majority will definitely win the race.
The fact that the bourgeoisie first experienced the industrial revolution explains why the
proletariat has for long lagged behind. Currently, the oppressed can access the modern gadgets
and utilize them to their advantage. While the bourgeoisie use the modern communication
methods for marketing their products, the proletariat use them for mobilization and educating
one another. Online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter help the oppressed to communicate
widely, cheaply and timely. Bue to this, the struggle has adopted a continental dimension.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is the best time for the world to adopt a different view of the social
classes and stratification. The bourgeoisie should realize that their demise is growing nearer and
assume better means of production. Some of the proletariats ought to be educated on false class

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE 5
consciousness. The should be made aware of their exploitation and coerced to take the necessary
measures against it. The creation of more worker-friendly environments and rise of wages is the
only way to a better world. This will bring to an end the prolonged class conflicts between the
bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The oppressed will probably do away with any plans to
overthrow the owners of the means of production. Through fairness, justice, and equity in the
labor industry, the continents could emerge economical superpowers in a few years. The
supposition that the capitalists must be the ruling class must be dismissed. The understanding
that people have equal opportunities even amidst social inequality.

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE 6
References
Lamb, P. (2015). Marx and Engels' Communistb Manifesto. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing
Plc.
Marx, K., & Engels, F. (1847). Manifesto of the Communist Party. Moscow: Progress Publishers.
Panitch, L. (2015). The Two Revolutionary Classes of the Manifesto. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Sokel, W. H. (2000). From Marx to Myth: The Structure and the Function of Self-Alienation in
Kafka's Metamorphosis. The Literaly Review, 26(4), 486-495.