Reading Response Questions for April 15 on Communist Manifesto

Hello students,

I apologize for not posting these questions earlier. As such, it is only required that you respond to the first two questions that are listed below. However, if you wish to respond to questions three and four, they will be treated as extra-credit. It is not mandatory that you answer questions three and four, but if you are in need of extra-credit, I strongly suggest you respond to them. Attempting the extra-credit questions can only help your grade.

1. Literally, what is a spectre? For Marx, what does he mean when he writes, "A spectre is haunting Europe?"

2. The Communist Manifesto is clearly in support of "reconstructionism."  For Marx, education has been used as a way of maintaining the status quo (where reconstructionists favor constant change) because it has supported the interests of the ruling class. In other words, Marx believed that education has been a device used to indoctrinate people into accepting and supporting the attitudes and outlooks of financial interests. Where does Marx express this idea in The Communist Manifesto? Do you think that Marx's views on education are still relevant to the formulating of good methods of education today?  Why or why not?




*Extra Credit Questions*

3. Do the ideas expressed in The Communist Manifesto reflect a more "utopian" or "realist" world view? Explain your reasons.

4. Marxism proposes that there has been a continuous "History" that has been put into motion by economic forces. That is to say, "History" has been moving in one direction where those in control of the means of production (bourgeoisie) brutally exploit workers (proletariat) in order to increase profits and enlarge their property. 

From this point of view, Marx believed that "History" has been unfolding in one continuous developmental wave. By "uncovering" or "scientifically proving" this wave, Marx believed that the direction or course "History" could take was ultimately in the control of the masses, so long as they are able to take control of the means of production.

Being able to have complete control over the navigation of the future is consistent with a reconstructionist approach to education. Where are these views expressed in The Communist Manifesto? Why do you think that the logical conclusion to following this type of ideology has lead to the creation of some of most unjust and illiberal totalitarian regimes that have ever existed?