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and this class struggle determines the course of history by altering the mode of production.
Marx argues that it is the mode of production that gives rise to and defines the social classes in any society. He begins his discussion of the capitalist class or bourgeoisie by making reference to this phenomenon: “We see therefore, how the modern bourgeoisie is itself the product of a long course of development, of a series of evolution in the modes of production and exchange.” Since the bourgeoisie arises out of the capitalist mode, and at the same influences its direction, it would follow then that this class can influence the political, legal and ideological relations of civil society. Marx explains this by saying “the bourgeoisie cannot exist without constantly revolutionizing
the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society.” (p. 38) Marx notes the capitalists’ influence on the political relations of society by writing “each step in the development of the bourgeoisie was accompanied a corresponding political advance of that class.” (p. 37)
Marx outlines his ideas on history and a prediction on what is yet to come. He predicts a confrontation between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, the working class and the higher class. Because of the main logic behind capitalism the bourgeoisie will seek more power and more wealth. With them doing this, the living conditions of the proletariat will decrease. Numbers of proletariat will increase as well as their political awareness, and will revolt against the bourgeoisie and will eventually win.
The capitalist class also alters the legal relations of society, such as dismantling the legal restrictions on land and setting up private property in order to help capitalism
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prosper. Marx notes other such legal changes by writing “it is has resolved personal worth into exchange value, and in place of the numberless indefeasible chartered freedoms, has set up that single, unconscionable freedom - Free Trade.” (p. 37) Finally Marx notes changes to dominant ideology by capitalists, particularly the shift from noble responsibility to individualism following the introduction of capitalism. “The bourgeoisie, whenever it has got the upper hand, has put an end to all feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations. It has pitilessly turn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his natural superiors, and has left remaining no other nexus between man and man than naked self interest, than callous ‘cash payment’.” (p. 37)
Marx continues his discussion of class conflict shaping history by discussing the class which opposes the capitalists - the working class. The working class or proletariat also develops out the capitalist mode of production, and are described by Marx as “a commodity, like every other article of commerce, and are consequently exposed to all the vicissitudes of competition, to all the fluctuations of the market.” (p. 41) Marx notes that the working class, since made legally free and stripped of the means to work for themselves, must sell their labor power to the capitalists. This labor Marx argues, is
alienated from the work process, as the capitalist class provide only highly repetitive jobs without room for creative expression.
The working class must suffer poor living conditions and low pay, as the capitalist
mode of production have left them with almost no bargaining power in the marketplace. The capitalist class then, can easily treat the workers as commodities, paying only enough so that they will be able to return to work the next day. Marx writes of these conditions:
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“hence, the cost of production of a workman is restricted, almost entirely to the means of subsistence that he requires for his maintenance, and for the propagation
of his race.” (p. 41) Also as the capitalist mode of production expands, the fate of small business owners joins that of the working class as they can no longer compete with the modern capitalists. Marx writes “the lower strata of the middle class - the small tradespeople, shopkeepers ... all these sink gradually into the proletariat, partly because their diminutive capital does not suffice for the scale on which Modern Industry is carried on ... partly because their specialized skill is rendered worthless by methods of production.” (p. 41-42)
After describing the working class in detail, Marx next focuses on their development through various levels of class. He writes “the proletariat goes through various stages of development. With its birth begins its struggle with the bourgeoisie. At first the contest is carried on by individual laborers, then by the workpeople of a factory ... against the individual bourgeoisie who directly exploits them.” (p.42) As the working class become more greatly concentrated in the factories, Marx notes that this aids their ability to organize in numbers and in strength. “But with the development of industry the proletariat not only increases in number; it becomes concentrated in greater masses, its strength grows ...” (p. 42) Marx discusses the importance of Communism, and if private property is abolished, class distinctions will be as well. The discussion also stresses the importance of the necessity of the proletariat and bourgeoisie being common and the level of class being the same. He stresses that this class conflict has always existed and
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originally began on an individual level.
This concentration of workers results in an increase of the social aspects of the
workplace, and Marx believed that in turn, changes were needed to the political and legal
relations of society to reflect this. Rather than these changes occurring however, the
formation of trade unions by the working class occurs, as Marx indicates by writing
“thereupon the workers begin to form combinations (Trade Unions) against the bourgeoisie; they club together in order to keep up the rate of wages ...” (p. 42) The final stage of the workers organization against the capitalist class is their formation of a political voice, as Marx indicates by writing “the organization of the proletariat into a class, and consequently into a political party ... it compels legislative recognition of particular interests of the workers, by taking advantage of the divisions among the bourgeoisie itself.” (p.43) These are the ethical portrayals of how the proletariat can change their current status.
In conclusion, the control of the bourgeoisie over the proletariat is very delicate at best. Centuries of neglect and alienation have made the proletariat bitterer towards the bourgeoisie. This bitterness will then change into an open revolt against the bourgeoisie, once they can no longer placate and deceive the proletariat. Only when this happens, the result will be an equal opportunity for all social classes. Marx concludes The Manifesto with a statement that summarizes the ultimate ethical change that will put an end to capitalism "WORKINGMEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!" (p. 77)
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Work Cited
Engels, Frederick and Marx, Karl. The Communist Manifesto. New York: Verso, 1998.
