Analyzing Marxism's Resurgence: A Reflection on Stuart Jeffries' View

This essay reflects on Stuart Jeffries' article, "Why Marxism is on the rise again," published in The Guardian, questioning the relevance of Marx's Communist Manifesto in today's global economy. The author examines the perspectives presented in the article, including interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and explores the apparent contradiction of the proletariat safeguarding capitalism. It delves into the resurgence of interest in Marxism among younger generations, the rise of China, and the perceived failures of bourgeois society, with a critical analysis of the criticisms leveled against modern Marxists. The reflection concludes by emphasizing the need to address the root causes of exploitation and class differences through global social management, aligning with the original ideals of Marx and Engels. Desklib offers a platform for students to access this essay and many other solved assignments.

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After reading the article Why Marxism is on the rise again by Stuart Jeffries
published in The Guardian, I found it quite remarkable and thought provoking (Jeffries
2018.). To me this article has raised one very important question that if the book The
Communist Manifesto, written by Marx and Engels which was granted as the Bible for the
Marxist all around the world, have any relevance in this current global economy or society? It
was the second best-selling book of all time. In this book, Karl Marx had discussed
everything about capitalism and the most suitable alternative of capitalism. His prophecy
about the inevitable victory of the proletariat has not been proved rather these proletariats are
safeguarding capitalism. In this article the author has discussed these issues from various
perspectives. He has interviewed with many people of different ages and different
background and has tried to judge the relevancy of Marxism in this highly capitalist economy
of the world.
To the author what Marx and Engels had foreseen has become exactly opposite. As an
evidence he refers to the largest socialist revolution of China which has just liberated itself
from the grip of capitalism has not actually secured the lives of the people. The Chinese
workers are underpaid yet overworked to cater the demands of the world. To me this idea is
not completely true. As the Marxist thinkers sees the Chinese dominance of the world
economy is due to their gigantic workforce who are making the world more just and rightful
for the worker of the world. The interest and relevancy in communism or Marxism has been
growing among the young generation is the proof of its success in changing the world
economy by a singular country and its workforce mainly proletariats.
The description of his interview with various people by Jeffries, moved me a lot. First
of all, the sale of Communist Manifesto, Das Capital and The Grundrisse has been
remarkably risen after 2008. The millennials or the young generations are the prime readers
of these books. Secondly, the relevancy of the revolutions which took place in the past era did

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not have any implication on the minds of these young readers but the current turbulence both
economic and political in the globe have an urging factor which are more or less common to
agitate the generation as the past struggles did to then young generations. To a university
student, who has proper knowledge of historical and eternal class struggle can find the
similarity in the economic turbulence in Greece and political overturn in Egypt with the
Russian revolution. This is why the capitalist crisis which Marx and Engels had reflected in
their books have more relevancy in this current world. To me, these overall crisis is much
more important and relatable with the socialist forefathers have disused 164 years ago.
Another important matter that the author has discussed with Rancière, the inevitable
fall of bourgeois which was predicted has not yet taken place, may be the revolutionaries
forgot to stand against their authority (Jeffries 2018). I think the reply was the best to reveal
the truth when Rancière says that the bourgeois have learnt to manage the overexploited
workers and the seed of struggle has been there which will express itself in the climax.
In this article, I have found a complete compendium of Marxist ideology and its
deferent perspectives. The author has also included its impact on the struggle of Cuba
captained by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro. I am fascinated by the idea that how Britain, a
country under monarchy, can have so much of potential to aim to be a democratic country
where the people are believing that democracy can be the only way to achieve socialism
which is the only way to answer all the humiliation. These Britons are not hoping to have a
bloody revolution to reach their aim but believe in the slow progress to achieve the desired
change. The another perspective resonates the same words but with more vibrant way. To
Jones, the interest in class politics among the new generation is unavoidable. To me, the
government policies and the so called successful economic conditions in the western society,
the birthplace of communism and socialism only allows the middle class people to dream
effectively. They do not have potential or possibility to lean towards the rich. The situation of

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the working class is much more horrible because whatever changes the government tries to
implement are for all. There is always an equality of rights as well as responsibility but the
ultimate effect of tax hike has no equality among the rich and the poor “economic crisis
affects people in different ways” (Jeffries 2018). Towards the end of this particular article the
author has disclosed the criticism of Marxism by criticising the current Marx believers. To
the critics, these lefts are corrupting the minds of the young generation as there is no reason
of struggle therefore, if the lefts want to eradicate all other political setting they will be
responsible of killing nearly half of the people of this world. To me these criticism of leftists
or the Marxist are not completely wrong but the situation has changed and the struggle
between class has taken a completely different facet for which the change is needed. For me
everything can be changed to acquire equality and rights of the poor but the root cause of all
these differences must be first prevented to grow. By this is mean idea of exploitation which
actually has created problem from the time immemorial and continued to preserve the class
difference and therefore the inevitable struggle. This can be applicable for both economy as
well as polity. Through social management on a global scale this issue can be mitigated
which was the actual motto of Marx and Engels.

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References:
Jeffries, S. (2018). Why Marxism is on the rise again. [online] the Guardian. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/04/the-return-of-marxism [Accessed 21 May
2018].