The Communist Manifesto

The introduction by Gareth Stedman Jones is not an introduction. On the contrary, it is a large history and in depth look at the political situation in the 19th century, especially during the 40's, when the two authors of The Communist Manifesto collaborated.

It also is categorized as biographies for both authors in a way, and this deep assesment cites many sources that ultimately are relevant to words spoken by either author or their most famous book, or just their ideals in connection with others in general.

I was warned that the content found in the Manifesto might be outdated. But thanks to this "introduction", I could grasp a good realization of the political situation back then in Europe. 

Communism is a well thought out ideology that wants to abolish the private property concept of humanity while centering mankind itself more around themselves, rather than letting their lives be carried out by states, government, social classes and other unnatural differences, including wealth and poverty. 

It is only controversial in present time because of the practical ways different races have attempted to convert the political system into their countries next to other ideologies. Although I do claim to have understood the situations told well, by no means is this an easy book to read, because complex political topics are just that.

The antagonism between the bourgeoisie and the proletarians is a thought provoking state, realizing that there are still classes, however and wherever they are called, today. Yet, communism continues to survive in some form or another.

Just take a look at Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, North Korea, China and even Russia and see if you can spot all of their differences and offsprings the ideology has made upon the nations. As it was written in Germany, many alterations exist, such as socialism, Marxism, Maoism, Stalinism etc. .

It would take way longer than a single post to go through all of those, just know that The Communist Manifesto is one of the most important political theories, as it has caused tons of revolutionaries and continues to be debated directly or indirectly today.

Rating: ***