In the "Communist Manifesto," Marx and Engels suggest some "wonderful improvements" for society. Cite a line from the Manifesto highlighting one of these improvements, i.e, something Marx and Engels want to see changed. Would the change they suggest be a good one? Why,
or why not? Do you get a feeling of deja vu when you read through the Manifesto? Any issues raised similar to those in contemporary American politics?
7 comments:
After reading the Communist Manifesto I feel a bit jaded in my beliefs. In America, we are taught that freedom is a virtue to be placed above all others, so to us communism is an unacceptable idea. However, after reading the manifesto I now understand that Marx and Engels did have very noble ideals. They truly did want what was best for their countrymen. It was somewhat enlightening to see communism in this new way. I still believe that it shouldn't be practiced because it does move humanity in a scary direction (i.e. Brave New World), but I do have a slightly higher respect for the creators of communism. They had good intentions, but their ideas are just too easy push over a line that should never be crossed.
the communist manifesto was not what i expected... i always saw communists as so bad that the leaders did not care at all about the people who were affected, it is the opposite. the communists were just trying to create a good world for their country, although i personally think they are wrong and communism could never work
-stephen hettick MWF 10:00
I believe that Marx and Engels never meant for the bad things to happen. They were trying to make things better for their country's people. I didn't really understand much of the reading, however what i did understand I did get that they actually cared about their people. I have only ever heard bad things about what had happened in communistic countries. I am glad to have read the book because now i know that it is not all bad. Kari Ziemer 10 Class MWF
After reading the Communist Manifesto it is obvious that many people's perception of communism is wrong. Most everyone believes that communism is bad and should be demolished. But in all reality it was created for good, it's intensions are good. Communism is created to change society for the better of the people, and isn't really all that bad, even thought it could never work.
-Haley Adams
When I read the Communist Manifesto, I felt a little surprised afterwards. Marx and Engels gives a refreshing taste on the views of communism, and after reading it I realized their intentions were not bad. They believed that this was the best form of governemnt for their people. Nonetheless, I am surprised that they acutally thought communism would work. That kind of idea would never work, society just can't make communism work in a positive way. I believe that democracy is the best form of government, and we are lucky to have that as our government. Communism would never work.
-Brittany Lewno
I chose this quote on page 140. "There are, moreover, eternal truths, such as freedom, justice, etc which are common to all social systems. But Communism abolishes these eternal truths; it abolishes religion and morality instead of constituting them on a new basis, which is contrary to all past historical development."
Basically what I believe he is saying is that the communists are better than every other civilization and the past history doesn't apply to them, because it was all a result of the class struggle and since they won't have that, it won't be an issue. After reading this I really do have a different opinion about communists, i don't believe they are bad people now, they are just trying make their country the best they can for everyone. But at the same time, they tend to have the horrible dicatators like Stalin, that are ruthless and give the communists a bad reputation. If they would have a good dictator, if there is such a thing, I don't think it is really that bad of a form of government. I like living in democracy a lot better, but we do have a lot of problems with poor people and employment.
John Wegehaupt (MWF @9:00)
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