New Discourses The Communist Manifesto, Volume 2: The Principles of Communism
Oct 6, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of communism as James Lindsay dissects the origins and implications of Engels' 'Principles of Communism.' Explore the opportunistic alliances of communists and their friend-enemy politics. Discover how the Industrial Revolution birthed the proletariat and reshaped societal structures. Lindsay draws parallels between past industrial disruptions and today's tech evolutions, revealing the potential for ideological upheaval. Finally, he examines the radical changes communism might bring to family, nationality, and religious beliefs.
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Communists Ally Opportunistically
- Marx and Engels openly advocate allying with any revolutionary movement against the existing order, even temporary or opportunistic alliances.
- They intend to make property the central question in each movement and betray allies when convenient.
Proletariat Born From Industrial Change
- Engels locates the proletariat's origin in the Industrial Revolution and costly machinery concentrating production.
- Machines made production cheaper and centralized industry in the hands of big capitalists, creating wage-dependent workers.
Navigate Tech Disruption Without Extremes
- Beware technological disruption spawning radical political movements that promise total fixes.
- Chart constructive policies to adapt to AI and digital shifts instead of embracing authoritarian solutions.
