Introduction
The communist manifesto is a political document by two German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that later got regarded as the most influential pamphlet in the political world. It gives an analysis of the class struggle and capitalism conflicts and their mode of presentation. The communist manifesto broadly summarizes Marx thoughts concerning the nature of society and its involvement in politics. It further goes ahead to discuss ideas of capitalism of the time would finally get replaced by socialism (Blaess & Fuchs 2014). While some people may decide to opt for either being a liberal or a capitalist, Marx goes ahead to criticize both of them and give reasons and its effects t any country and also gives his thoughts on gender equality.
Marx’s main critiques of the classical liberalism and industrial capitalism
Liberals were so much obsessed with the idea of individualism at the beginning of the nineteenth century. They asked for a written constitution in many nations and new policies that could enable an individual to develop his/her faculty (Walzer 1990). The idea came under scrutiny by Marx and the Marxist who in his own point of view stated that the individual was insignificant to any nation and even denied the role played by the person in historical development. According to Marx, history and forces of the material production independently develops without the effort of the individuals and inevitability of the law if nature.
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Marx criticizes capitalism as a historical age that would once show some positive progress but would one day come to a standstill due to internal disagreements and pace way for socialism. He further claims that capitalism only acts as a pathway to the development of an individual which then face political revolution before embracing a society with class (Kovel 2009). He further states that the workforce is exploited by the real owners of the means of production for they do not want to work. In his view, the capitalist would gather more wealth and eventually make the working class poor hence result in a revolution that would do away with capitalism.
A Classical Liberal Argument against the Criticism
A classical liberal would argue with Marx due to the benefits that come with being a liberal. The liberal system comes with a good exchange value that Marx strongly dislikes, yet individuals enjoy as they are not subjected to any form of capitalism. Furthermore, individuals tend to enjoy free trade where they enjoy the lack of restriction on imports and exports when compared to protectionist that is employed by capitalism (Doem & Tomlin 1991). Liberals argue that free trade and reduction on trade barriers results in an increased economic growth of any nation.
Marx’s Thoughts on Gender Equality
Marx thoughts on gender equality were not based in relation to the subordination of women but in connection with their working conditions in the industrial work revolution. The capitalist regime subjected women to harsh working conditions such as working without food and lack of enough sleep for children (Verloo 2005). Marx suggested that limits imposed on the female gender and children’s working hours to be reduced and also denounced the uncouth exploitation of children’s and women.
Classical liberal view on Marx view on Gender
A classical liberal would really have a negative view of Marx’s view on gender since liberal feminism is a form that works to maintain the rights of women to be equal with those of men. They also argue that society is wrong to the belief that women are less capable both physically and intellectually than men (Gimenez 2005). Marx take on gender equality was all about reducing the working hours of women yet liberal feminism advocates for equal right. Therefore, a classical liberal would take it negatively for Marx views women as being inferior compared to men.
Conclusion
The communist manifesto broadly summarizes Marx thoughts concerning the nature of society and its involvement in politics. It further goes ahead to discuss ideas of capitalism of the time would finally get replaced by socialism. Marx thoughts on gender equality were not based in relation to the subordination of women but in connection with their working conditions in the industrial work revolution. Marx criticizes capitalism as a historical age that would once show some positive progress but would one day come to a standstill due to internal disagreements and pace way for socialism.
References
Doern, G. B., & Tomlin, B. W. (1991). Faith & fear: the free trade story (p. 18). Toronto: Stoddart.
Firer-Blaess, S., & Fuchs, C. (2014). Wikipedia: An info-communist manifesto. Television & New Media , 15 (2), 87-103.
Gimenez, M. E. (2005). Capitalism and the oppression of women: Marx revisited. Science & Society , 69 (1: Special issue), 11-32.
Kovel, J. (2009). From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Strategies , 2 , 1.
Verloo, M. M. T. (2005). Mainstreaming gender equality in Europe: A critical frame analysis approach.
Walzer, M. (1990). The communitarian critique of liberalism. Political theory , 18 (1), 6-23.
