"A Radical Rupture"in the Fabric of Society

10 Objectives from the Communist Manifesto

The Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, says the communist revolution involves a “radical rupture with traditional ideas.”

One of the key ideas communism seeks to rupture is the ownership of private property. The Manifesto explains that “the proletariat will use its political supremacy…to centralize all instruments of production in the hands of the State…as a means of entirely revolutionizing the mode of production.”

This wrenching of private property from individuals and placing it in the hands of the state is meant to equalize wealth, eliminate class differences, and enrich everyone. Instead, when attempted, communism has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of millions of people.

Here is an outline of some of the major measures needed to achieve communist objectives in a society, according to the Manifesto:

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

3. Abolition of all right of inheritance.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State; the bringing into cultivation of waste-lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal liability of all to labor. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the population over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children’s factory labor in its present form.  Combination of education with industrial production.”

Where do you think we are in the accomplishment of these designs in the United States and globally? How are these measures being pursued? Which of these have we largely embraced as a society? What examples do you know of that are evidence of governments or other entities pursuing these ends? Is there anything hopeful you glean from the list? Why do you think these particular things are communist objectives? How can the objectives on this list be slowed or stopped?

I usually reserve comments on my articles for paying subscribers (who I appreciate so much!) but I’ll open comments to everyone on this post. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

For families,

Kimberly