How has modern thought influenced Communism?

[Loknar]

Having read the manifesto a long time ago my memory if fuzzy so please bare with me.

As far s I have read I dont recall Marx delving too much into moral issues. For example, the death penalty...

I also recall that Marx was a bit of a cultural supremacist if not somewhat racist (though I dont think this is a big deal, everyone in his time was).

Ive noticed that many here have much in common with ordinary leftists that I know in person. For example, opposition of the death penelty, support of abortion, racist free, equality between cultures/races ect.

I'm just curious how has modern thought influenced Communist views today?

[Invincible Summer]

Well, firstly, most communists don't adhere themselves to Marx to the extent of mirroring his supposed racism, lack of discussion of morality (which is a wholly subjective concept anyway), etc.

And of course, the communist movement is influenced by the society in which it's located. Ideology is not separate from the cultures and material conditions that they reside in.

[Demogorgon]

Well obviously Marx was a man of his time, and the things he said reflects that. It is important to note though that his views were progressive relevant to the standards of the time. For instance while he certainly said things that we would regard as racist today, he opposed the racism and racial discrimination in America. Communism isn't about exactly replicating the views of the nineteenth century though, it is about applying progressive values to contemporary situations.

Incidentally, he did oppose the Death Penalty.