In the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx, Marx states “The history of all hitherto existing society is a history of class struggles.” (The Communist Manifesto, chapter 1) Since the very formation of advanced human civilization, a rigid social hierarchy has been present. Wether this entails the lord and his serf or the industrialist and his factory hand, time has left this concept essentially unfazed. However beginning with the French Revolution followed by the emergence of industry and capitalism, this social divide became arguably even more polarized and oppressive. Marx categorizes this divide into two main and distinct social classes, bourgeois and proletariat. The bourgeois most notably controlling capital and “the means of production” (The Communist Manifesto, chapter 1) residing at the top of the social chain. Below him is the proletariat, or simply the working class under the mercy of his bourgeois master.

Within the Communist Manifesto, Marx’s deep seated resentment of the bourgeois is evident. According to his belief in a history of classes struggles we can define the bourgeois as the ruling and oppressive class. We can compare his existence too early as the ancient slave master ruling over his slaves. The bourgeois is not some new phenomena rather it is just a similar and revised product of its time. Like in any society there is an upper class and lower class, the bourgeois obviously being among the upperclass. During Marx’s time with the rapid industrialization of the western world, the bourgeois typically came in the form of a factory owner. Now with the means of modern machinery and manufacturing these bourgeois were able to elevate themselves to immense wealth and influence. Furthermore, as expected, this was only possible by exploiting the working class. Rewarded with reduced wages and terrible working conditions the proletariat fulfilled the ambition of the bourgeois. Simply said as mentioned before what makes the bourgeois the bourgeois, the ruling social class, is by its ownership of capital and the means of production.

Along with Marx’s resentment towards the bourgeois, his opinion toward capitalism is equally apparent. He believes capitalism to be nothing beyond an evil practice. Capitalism by definition concerns elevating the individual rather than his community. In turn by harboring his ambition purely inward, he is motivated only by his own self interest. Inevitably this is largely accomplished by pushing those below him to the top. So according to Marx there is no compassion within capitalism, it is heartless. Capitalism therefor is the ideal environment for the bourgeois. It is the tool that encourages the greed of the bourgeois. Being the soulless and selfish individuals that they are, they are motivated only by one thing, money. This nature of the bourgeois is as predictable as the gravity keeping our feet on the ground. By any means or sacrifice necessary the bourgeois will chase material wealth (money) until he is literally physically unable.

In accumulating such large amounts of wealth the bourgeois gain considerable influence. This influence goes far beyond than the workers he commands. Rather this influence finds itself within essentially every existing social institution. Wether this is found in educational systems, political systems, and so on, it has its presence. Educationally speaking, we can assume that teachers being bourgeois themselves hired by the bourgeois, teach their students a very bourgeois capitalist rhetoric. In doing this the next generation is brainwashed into maintaining this particular system, they will grow up to be either an obedient worker or his selfish boss. By controlling the educational system the bourgeois ideal is immortal. Then only by having their own sway in politics can the current bourgeois survive. Being passionate capitalists, the bourgeois believe in a free market with little or preferably no government interference. Politicians influenced by the bourgeois by whatever means, or politicians being bourgeois themselves, ensure a viable and sustainable climate for the bourgeois. These things provide them with invulnerability to follow their material interests.

Marx, so passionate against this heartless world order provides us with (in his view) a more pleasant alternative in communism. Communism is meant to correct all these mistakes and stop history from continuing to repeat itself. This is done by eliminating the social divide and grouping everyone into one equal social class most notably by abolishing all forms of private property. So on the only way to establish communism is by revolution. After the proletariat gain a class consciousness followed by a social revolution can communism be achieved. Although communism was doomed for failure and proved to be far more liable to corruption than capitalism, there remains to be some truth in Marx’s analysis of the bourgeois.