Quiz 3 Flashcards
Engels: What is the primary determinant of the course of history according to historical materialism?
The primary determinant is the material conditions of life, specifically the means of production and relationships between different classes.
Engels: How did the advent of agriculture impact private property and class divisions?
The advent of agriculture led to the emergence of the concept of private property, leading to class divisions as some individuals began to control more resources than others.
Engels: List the stages of society’s historical progression as described by Engels.
The stages include primitive communism, ancient communal and state ownership, feudal or estate property, and capitalist production.
Engels: What role do the forces of production play in shaping society?
The ways goods are produced and the structure of the workforce fundamentally shape society. Changes in these production forces lead to changes in social relations and revolutions.
Engels: What are some of the inherent contradictions of capitalism highlighted by Engels?
Contradictions include competition among capitalists, the drive for profit, and the inherent instability leading to economic crises.
Engels: Who does Engels believe will overthrow capitalism and why?
Engels believes the proletariat (working class) will overthrow capitalism because of their position in the production process and their experience of exploitation.
Engels: How does “scientific” socialism differ from “utopian” socialism?
“Scientific” socialism is based on a materialistic understanding of history and society, while “utopian” socialism is based on ideals.
Engels: Why does Engels believe socialism is inevitable?
Due to the contradictions within capitalism, socialism is seen as the inevitable outcome.
Engles: How does Engels view the modern state in relation to capitalism?
Engels sees the modern state as serving the interests of the capitalist class.
Engels: What happens to the state after the proletarian revolution, according to Engels?
After the proletarian revolution, the state would wither away and be replaced by a form of governance that serves the majority.
In what order does Marx intend to examine the system of bourgeois economy?
Marx intends to examine the system of bourgeois economy in the following order: capital, landed property, wage-labor; the State, foreign trade, world market.
What are the three great classes into which modern bourgeois society is divided, and how are they analyzed in Marx’s work?
The three great classes are capital, landed property, and wage-labor. Marx analyzes their economic conditions of existence under these three headings.
Why does Marx omit a general introduction in his work, and what approach does he suggest readers should take?
Marx omits a general introduction because he finds it confusing to anticipate results that still need to be substantiated. He suggests that readers should advance from the particular to the general.
How did Marx’s work on political economy initially begin, and what subjects did he study as part of this endeavor?
Marx’s work on political economy began when he had to discuss material interests as the editor of the “Rheinische Zeitung” in 1842-43. He studied economic questions related to forest thefts, the division of landed property, debates on free trade, and protective tariffs.
According to Marx, what determines the legal, political, religious, and philosophical forms in society?
Marx believes that the material conditions of life and the relations of production determine these forms in society, rather than individual consciousness.
What conditions lead to the replacement of a social order, according to Marx?
A social order is replaced when the material productive forces come into conflict with the existing relations of production or property relations, turning them into fetters.
How does Marx categorize the modes of production throughout history?
Marx categorizes the modes of production as Asiatic, ancient, feudal, and modern bourgeois modes of production.
Who was Friedrich Engels, and what role did he play in Marx’s intellectual pursuits?
Friedrich Engels was a collaborator of Marx who contributed to their shared ideology. They worked together on various projects and Engels played a significant role in shaping their ideas.
What happened to the manuscript titled “The German Ideology,” and why was it abandoned?
The manuscript was abandoned and never published due to changed circumstances. It was abandoned willingly as Marx and Engels had achieved their main purpose, which was self-clarification.
Why did Marx resume his study of political economy in London in 1850, and what factors influenced this decision?
Marx resumed his study of political economy in London in 1850 due to the extensive material available in the British Museum, the opportunity to observe bourgeois society in London, and the need to earn a living through his collaboration with the New York Tribune.
According to Marx and Engels, what is the primary goal of Communists in relation to the working-class?
The primary goal of Communists in relation to the working-class is to raise the proletariat to the position of the ruling class, overthrow the bourgeois (capitalist) system, and establish the political power of the proletariat.
How do Marx and Engels distinguish Communists from other working-class parties?
Communists are distinguished from other working-class parties by their advanced and resolute commitment to the proletarian movement. They also emphasize the importance of representing the common interests of the entire proletariat, independently of nationality.
What does Communism seek to abolish regarding property, and what distinguishes bourgeois property from other forms of property?
Communism seeks to abolish bourgeois private property. Bourgeois property is distinguished by its exploitation of wage labor, where wealth is generated through the labor of others and results in class antagonisms.
How do Marx and Engels respond to the accusation that communism intends to abolish personal freedom?
Marx and Engels argue that communism does not seek to abolish personal freedom but aims to transform the character of property relations. They assert that individual freedom will be enhanced in a society without the exploitation of labor.
