… class society within their own people, therefore going against everything in which the revolution was trying to accomplish. This organization of the proletarians could enable them to attain the goals which they set out to grasp. Upon reaching these goals it would be reasonable to question whether the classes now set up within would actually disintegrate and allow for equality amongst all men. This would mean that the governing proletarian assembly would deteriorate and become one of the same.
Also, the defeated bourgeois who were hated and envied, could not themselves be oppressed by the proletarians. In order to meet the goals of the revolution, they would have to become equals and allowed to take from society as all else do. This would leave the door open to a counter revolution in order to restore society to the previous means of operation. As well, through human nature man cannot simply defeat its enemy and then expect to live along side of it. To defeat your enemy is to become your enemy, and in this case that would result in an oppressor and an oppressed, oppositely situated when looking at i! t from a class structure. The idea of creating an equal society is a provocative promise in order to rally people together and create a common goal, but keeping this goal is very unrealistic.
Now the ruling assembly within the working-class has gained power, and like the bourgeois, they can see that this power is easily harnessed. By altering the goals of the revolution in a way that still brings about change from the past ways of society, allows the ruling class to bring prosperity to their own lives. Falling under the same ‘spell’ as the bourgeois did themselves, the new rulers can fulfill their own egos while governing a body of people who are much more tolerable. Their tolerance comes from the feeling of victory which really just creates a much more efficient work force. Because of their own blindness, they cannot see that in the light of change, in fact, nothing really has.
The Communist Manifesto ends proclaiming: ‘Workingmen of all countries, unite!’ This is to further emphasize Marx’s belief that the proletarians have only each other and do not belong to a country or state. What exists as a state is only known and developed within a capitalist society by the bourgeois. The state is created in order to identify with trade and production techniques, and helps in creating various bounded markets. The technique which the proletarian class would use to overthrow the bourgeois would be to join all workers in a mutual interest of intent. In doing so, Marx believes the state or nation will collapse, allowing the unification of all labourers, regardless of heritage and state of origin. Therefore clashes between nations would cease, and only one world of united people who want to live and work equally would exist.
Another imperfection in Marx’s theories is revealed. If socialism, communism being the ultimate goal, was to flourish, it would not be ubiquitous. Hence, some states would progress faster than others, while some would not be interested in a socialist society at all. In theory, this develops a unified nation which through joint interest becomes stronger as it strives toward its target. Through the collaboration of many, a devotion develops in the form of nationalistic views. This nationalism which strengthens the undertaking, will directly and indirectly threaten other nations or states which have not progressed at the same pace.
This will obviously create tension between nations, especially those geographically bordering each other, and could lead to conflict or persecution of one state by another. This would then take the capitalist theory of the oppressed and the oppressor to a different level, again steering away from the communist goals which were to be accomplished. An example of communism’s flaws can be seen in the revolution led by V. I. Lenin in Russia. Using politically left winged tactics, he sought to achieve communism through the heading of the Bolsheviks.
Following his death, Stalin saw the opportunity to create an industrial state which could grow to engulf the larger capitalist states around. Stalin’s form of governing resulted in the political system known as totalitarianism, which created an ultimate power. This corrupted the utopian dream of communism and again resulted with a specific figure and class living off the wealth produced by the rest of the state. Throughout history man has evolved, becoming a more and more complex thinker.
This process of evolution is in order to further himself and socially adapt to the changing times in which he lives. Evolution is inevitable and will never cease, therefore man will continue learning, trying to gain more knowledge and accomplish what hasn’t been done. Communism does not allow for man’s own gratification, that is why it is an impractical way of thought. To strive towards a society which everyone is equally represented does seem pleasant, but it becomes an inaccurate way of reasoning. For once the ideal communist society is reached, what would be the point of working? Labour and work are to advance society as a whole, though not all at the same rate, varying on the type of work and strength at which one strives. Therefore once communism has been reached, essentially the evolution of man ceases.
This would be an impossibility. Since man is born into an imperfect world, he too is imperfect, changing to meet his own needs within the needs of the environment in which he lives. Since the only consistently in the universe is change, then man cannot expect to become the controlling factor of change and govern its principles. In living in a communist society, man believes that all are equal, contributing to the advancement of the ra! ce as a whole. But the error here is that not all believe that all are equal. Many feel that their own personal goals are correct, and they set out to reach them.
Consequently, a society of classes s begins to develop, where one voice gains followers while another speaking out against the first creates his own a swell. What then results from these cries is a clash between various groups, leading to the establishment of a class system. Communism is an idealists utopian dream. It is only achievable through the unification and agreement of all who populate a state. Only when an entire populace lose their own individuality will a communist society then take form.
Man continuously strives to prove his own self worth, to himself and not humanity. Humanity on a whole will continue to progress regardless of personal achievements great men rise while others fall. It is therefore seen that a communist society due to the facts regarding social evolution, cannot exist. For a communist society moves ahead together, yet remains idle when looking at an individual. This is illogical, for we are just that, individuals. We as humans are imperfect individuals, and selfishly stride towards justifying our personal goals, collaborating with others only when knowing it will strengthen our own grip.
Works Cited ” Communism’. Academic American Encyclopedia. 1989. ‘Marx, Karl’. Compton’s Encyclopedia. 1986.
‘Socialism’. Academic American Encyclopedia. 1989. Eben stein, William. Today’s isms. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Incorporated, 1970.
Haberman, Arthur. The Modern Age: Ideas in Western Civilization. Toronto: Gage Educational Publishing Company, 1987. Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto.
Illinois: AHM Publishing Corporation, 1955. McKay, John P. and others. A History of Western Society. Volume II, 3 rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987..