Communist Manifesto Analysis

Karl Marx wrote in 1848, "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles"; it still holds true today. Feudal society gave way to democracy, yet the class stratification only intensified. As Marx states "Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile campsÐ'...the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat," or in today's terminology, the have and have-nots. The growing middle and lower classes in America cannot compete with the "old wealth" of the upper class. Some entrepreneurs, who were in the right place at the right time, have managed to climb the social ladder and enter the bourgeoisie. An individual born today is more likely to move down the ladder rather than up. Marx addressed that possibility by stating, "What the bourgeoisie therefore produces, above all, are its own grave diggers." The bourgeoisie gain strength through political advances at the expense of the proletariat.

The United States Senate, the Millionaires Club, as well as Congress and the office of President, have all evolved from feudal systems. Marx states, "The executive of the modern state is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie." Most legislation is directed to the bourgeoisie of American society even though the proletariat often proposes it. Recent laws have included tax credits for private schools, tax cuts for wealthy (what used to be middle class) individuals, acceptance of an outrageous war budget while people are hungry in America, and the backing of monopolies in federal court cases. The Communist Manifesto claims that in this stage of society, that every victory for the proletariat is actually a victory for the bourgeoisie. The commercial relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat has developed as Marx described it would.

"The need of a constantly expanding market for its products chases the bourgeoisie over the entire surface of the globe." One American brand name comes to mindÐ'--McDonalds. This American icon has infiltrated 119 countries on seven continents. All the many aspects of the working relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat are found in McDonalds. Laborers, as described by Marx, "live only so long as they find workÐ'...sell themselves piecemealÐ'...exposed to the fluctuations of the marketÐ'...the cost of labor is only equal to its cost of production." McDonalds describes itself as a great place to work with excellent opportunities for its employees. However, its pays its employees an unlivable wage, few benefits, and does not allow for individuality on the job. Workers may view themselves as an extension of the frill or fry machine, bound to the job by low wages, and be placed under threat of loss of job due to decreased customer count. In 2004, without raising benefits or wages, McDonalds posted a $600 Million increase in cash from its operators. While McDonalds did not exist while Mark wrote the Manifesto, he spoke of the greed of corporations. These corporations thinking they aided the bourgeoisie actually boosted the proletariat into revolution. McDonalds is run by 11 members of the bourgeoisie exploiting the workers while promoting their world growth.

.An aspect, according to Marx, of the bourgeoisie that has not yet emerged in American society is that of equality among the workers. He claimed that with the shift from manual labor to modern industry, that women superseded men in the workforce. While there is growing equality among certain professions, there is still a discrepancy in pay and equality of position. Certain positions are unavailable to women, simply because they are women. The bourgeoisie in the military refuse to allow equality among the ranks. Women can fight for their country, even die, but are not allowed in "dangerous"