Marxism

[tradeunionsupporter]

Do Marxists have to view the Communist Manifesto like a Bible like Christians view their Bible can Marxists disagree with some of Marxism's ideas ?

[RedSunRising]

Do Marxists have to view the Communist Manifesto like a Bible like Christians view their Bible can Marxists disagree with some of Marxism's ideas ?

Of course they they disagree with some of Marx's ideas, I mean Marx didnt have the same ideas all through is life did he? So you couldnt agree with all his ideas because of all his ideas dont agree.

[Gorilla]

Do Marxists have to view the Communist Manifesto like a Bible like Christians view their Bible

No.


can Marxists disagree with some of Marxism's ideas ?

a) Yes.

b) Which ones?

[Koba1917]

The Communist Manifesto was written by Marx and Engels. And I'm pretty sure they disagreed on some things. But the Communist Manifesto was pretty much a simple outline on Society.

[Tim Finnegan]

Do Marxists have to view the Communist Manifesto like a Bible like Christians view their Bible
Given that Marx and Engels themselves later came to view its content as insufficient- Engels wrote in the forward for a later edition that it was best viewed as an historic document- they'd have to be rather over-zealous to do so. It's still an important text, and something that all Marxists should read at some point, but it's not even the first port of call for an aspiring Marxist in this day and age (although, of course, a purely curious reading may still push somebody towards Marxism).


can Marxists disagree with some of Marxism's ideas ?It depends what you mean. Basic historical materialism- class struggle, the concept of the mode of production, etc.- are all necessary, as far as I could imagine, but you're free to debate on the details that spring forth from this, e.g. the nature of capitalism, the existence or non-existence of certain modes of production, etc.

[tradeunionsupporter]

What about Religion can one disagree with Marx's views on Religion ?

[Gorilla]

What about Religion can one disagree with Marx's views on Religion ?

Already a thread going on it: http://www.revleft.com/vb/do-have-atheist-t153676/index.html

[#FF0000]

What about Religion can one disagree with Marx's views on Religion ?

Most do, actually.

[Arilou Lalee'lay]

I would recommend that you read more leftist literature before asking all of these questions. We won't be able to help you if you don't understand some of the basics.

Is there a part of Marxism that is particularly interesting to you? We could offer you specific recommendations based on that. After Capitalism by David Schweickart is the best introduction I have found, but unless you have access to a university's library it can be tricky to find.

I'm very interested to see what other board members think would be a good starting point for those like the OP. I was frustrated by not being able to find one so made an attempt at writing my own introduction a while back, which is attached. I like the first half of it, but the second half touched on topics that were difficult to condense into the current length of a page and a quarter.

I apologize, OP, if I'm underestimating your knowledge.

I should also disclaim that I just tried to improve the readability of it, which was probably silly because I'm a little drunk. Also not sure if I'm posting attachments right. Good luck, OP! I know how hard buckling down and reading can be, as does everyone here :)

[Revolution starts with U]

People need to realize it's titled "The Manifesto of the Communist Party." If you're not a part of the Communist Party, it's largely irrelevant to you. Good read but...
It's nothing in relation to Das Kapital.

[ZeroNowhere]

People need to realize it's titled "The Manifesto of the Communist Party." If you're not a part of the Communist Party, it's largely irrelevant to you.All communists (not necessarily all socialists) are part of the Party in the broad historical sense, so it's relevant to all communists.


Good read but...
It's nothing in relation to Das Kapital.What a bizarre comparison. Are we going to be comparing the 1844 manuscripts and The German Ideology with Das Kapital now, too? Das Kapital is not a completed work, and the Manifesto includes elements that would probably have been included in Capital's final chapters, but weren't.


Do Marxists have to view the Communist Manifesto like a Bible like Christians view their Bible?Christians generally aren't that concerned about what their Bible says, all things considered. So no, Marxists have to view the Manifesto far higher than most Christians view their Bible.

[28350]

All communists (not necessarily all socialists) are part of the Party in the broad historical sense, so it's relevant to all communists.

...thank you <3
this is the most significant i've ever felt

[Sadena Meti]

Christians generally aren't that concerned about what their Bible says, all things considered. So no, Marxists have to view the Manifesto far higher than most Christians view their Bible.
I'd say more people hold Capital as "holy" than the Manifesto.

[red cat]

Do Marxists have to view the Communist Manifesto like a Bible like Christians view their Bible can Marxists disagree with some of Marxism's ideas ?

Marxism is a science. The difference between religion and science is that the latter is always modified when it comes into contradiction with observations made in the real world, while the former remains unchanged and is held above reality. Marxism will become a religion the day Marxists cease to disagree with it.

[hatzel]

Marxism will become a religion the day Marxists cease to disagree with it....thus it is revisionism alone which keeps Marxism from degrading into a religion :laugh: Naaaaah, but that was a little bit funny...

[red cat]

It really was :lol:

[Kuppo Shakur]

I'd say more people hold Capital as "holy" than the Manifesto.
Actually, Engels referred to Capital as "the bible of the working class".:unsure:

[RNL]

Actually, Engels referred to Capital as "the bible of the working class".:unsure:
I know it says that in the Penguin Classics blurb, but what he actually wrote was:

"Capital is often called, on the continent, 'the Bible of the working class'." (p.112)

[Kuppo Shakur]

I know it says that in the Penguin Classics blurb, but what he actually wrote was:

"Capital is often called, on the continent, 'the Bible of the working class'." (p.112)
Ah, I'll have to look that up, that's one hell of a misquote.

[hatzel]

Ah, I'll have to look that up, that's one hell of a misquote.Is it? :confused: Unless he says afterwards '...but that's a kinda stupid thing to say', I think we can safely agree that he's claiming it deserves such an epithet...

[RNL]

He's neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the religious metaphor. He's illustrating the deepening hold that Marx's ideas are having in mainland Europe in the 1880s - so much so that such a metaphor might become popular.

It is a huge misquote, particularly to put in the blurb.