Fredrick Engels: Economics

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Fredrick Engels tried to understand society at a time when Europe was embracing capitalism. The period was characterized by industrial development and private ownership of property. Modern technology contributed to modernization of production.

The society had to change from previous modes such as feudalism to capitalism. Many scholars gave their views as regards to economic organization. Engels had his own views that were purely socialist in nature. According to Engels, resources should be controlled by society not individuals.

In society, the owners of the means of production own everything whereas the proletariat owns nothing. The workers produce goods that they do not consume mainly because of high prices. Goods and services are extremely expensive for the working class since they are paid little.

Pauperization finds its way to society because people cannot meet their needs. Political leaders take advantage of the prevailing conditions to buy votes from workers. Workers have nothing to offer in society apart from cheap labor (Engels 87).

This paper analyzes how Engels viewed society and how he wanted the society to be. The paper addresses four major issues that are of concern to the working class. These include exploitation, alienation, subjugation and domination. Engels observed that economic organization was the central aspect of society.

This means that the means of production such as tools, raw materials and skills are very important as compared to other values. Economics controls all forms of human life including social, political and cultural life. He referred to economics as the base meaning the foundation upon which other structures are developed.

The superstructure such as ideas, culture, politics, education system and religion is controlled by economics. The rich persons use their wealth to acquire education and political power. Workers are perpetually pushed to the periphery if not subjugated. Workers exist only at the mercy of the ruling class.

In other words, life is completely dependent on production and distribution of goods. Engels focuses more on materialistic interpretation of human history. He criticizes the existing social arrangement that is based on material resources. He correctly observes that the central institution of capitalistic society is private ownership of property.

It is true that societal resources are controlled by the few in the capitalistic society. Goods are produced for the market not for domestic or communal consumption. Therefore, the major aim of the owners of the means of production is profit maximization. In this regard, they use all available means to accumulate resources.

Engels observed that the owners of the means of production bribe voters to acquire state power. State machinery is employed to suppress any efforts of liberation. Police officers are used to prevent workers from exercising their democratic right of demonstration.

The labor unions are influenced by labor ministries to accept biased labor laws. The learned members of society and religious leaders are also influenced by bourgeoisies to pacify the population. Intellectuals rationalize, legitimize and justify the existing social order, which is distorted in real sense.

Religious leaders quote some specific verses of holy books to prove to the proletariat that everything is okay. Verses such as ‘be contended with your lot’ encourage the working class to work hard.

Societal institutions such as the media are also objects that exist to serve the interests of the bourgeoisies (Engels 97). The owners of the means of production use the media to spread their ideology and propaganda. Furthermore, the media is used to market products that only benefit the bourgeoisie.

Engels used the idea of dialectics to show how change would occur. Change would occur in form of a revolution. The existing social order, which he terms as thesis will generate its anti-thesis. From the struggle, a qualitative and a more appealing social order would emerge called synthesis.

Engels perceived the synthesis as being people oriented. The state would be forced to serve the interests of the majority. This is what other scholars refer to as social democracy or socialism. Resources would be distributed equality among members of society.

However, he cautions that the bourgeoisie will not sit back and watch the proletariat take over state power. The owners of the means of production would use all available resources and techniques to maintain status quo. Through this, many will lose their lives.

According to Engels, nothing would overthrow the rule of minority other than a revolution. Some workers will be bribed to betray their fellow proletariat but workers will identify such tricks and move on with their plans.

Engels continues to give his views by noting that profits would fall among capitalists mainly because of competition. At the same time, workers would gain consciousness and demand for their labor rights. Capitalists will resort to using technology because it is easy to control.

Workers would then wage a war due to unemployment and hard economic life. This is how a socialist revolution will take place. In other words, Engels appreciates the relationship between the worker and the bourgeoisie. It is a complex relationship (Engels 101). Workers need employment whereas the bourgeoisie needs labor.

In conclusion, workers cannot exist without the presence of the bourgeoisie. The employers try to eliminate workers from the production process by resorting technology. Domination, exploitation, alienation and subjugation have reached climax in the 21^st century.

Each company produces goods for the market. Workers are expected to work like machines implying that Engels postulations are accurate. There is no time for leisure and social recreation in the modern world. The worker is only given some time to carry out animal related activities such as eating, sleeping and procreating.

Works Cited

Engels, Fredrick. Condition of the Working Class in England. London: Penguin Classics, 1987.

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Fredrick Engels: Economics

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