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andredias's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
1.5
"The Principles of Communism" by Friedrich Engels is a tedious and intellectually deficient work that fails to provide a coherent and convincing argument for the merits of communism. Engels, in his attempt to elucidate the principles of this ideology, falls short in several crucial aspects.
Firstly, Engels displays a lack of consideration for the inherent flaws in the implementation of communism. His utopian vision fails to acknowledge the human tendency towards self-interest and the potential for abuse of power in a society where the state holds immense control. History has shown that attempts to establish communism have often resulted in authoritarian regimes that suppress individual freedoms and stifle innovation.
Furthermore, Engels' economic analysis is simplistic and unrealistic. His advocacy for the abolition of private property neglects the importance of incentives in driving productivity and innovation. The absence of a competitive market, as proposed by Engels, undermines the dynamism and efficiency that capitalism fosters.
Engels also overlooks the diversity of human needs and aspirations. His insistence on the uniformity of social conditions and the elimination of social classes neglects the rich tapestry of human experiences and motivations. The one-size-fits-all approach advocated in "The Principles of Communism" disregards the complexity of individual preferences and talents.
Additionally, Engels' vision lacks a practical roadmap for the transition to communism. The absence of a clear and feasible plan undermines the credibility of his proposals, leaving any person with common sense skeptical about the practicality of implementing such a radical societal shift.
In conclusion, "The Principles of Communism" is a misguided and impractical treatise that fails to address the fundamental flaws of communism. Engels' lack of consideration for human nature, economic realities, and the diversity of human experiences weakens the overall argument and renders the book unconvincing and irrelevant in the face of historical evidence and practical considerations.
Firstly, Engels displays a lack of consideration for the inherent flaws in the implementation of communism. His utopian vision fails to acknowledge the human tendency towards self-interest and the potential for abuse of power in a society where the state holds immense control. History has shown that attempts to establish communism have often resulted in authoritarian regimes that suppress individual freedoms and stifle innovation.
Furthermore, Engels' economic analysis is simplistic and unrealistic. His advocacy for the abolition of private property neglects the importance of incentives in driving productivity and innovation. The absence of a competitive market, as proposed by Engels, undermines the dynamism and efficiency that capitalism fosters.
Engels also overlooks the diversity of human needs and aspirations. His insistence on the uniformity of social conditions and the elimination of social classes neglects the rich tapestry of human experiences and motivations. The one-size-fits-all approach advocated in "The Principles of Communism" disregards the complexity of individual preferences and talents.
Additionally, Engels' vision lacks a practical roadmap for the transition to communism. The absence of a clear and feasible plan undermines the credibility of his proposals, leaving any person with common sense skeptical about the practicality of implementing such a radical societal shift.
In conclusion, "The Principles of Communism" is a misguided and impractical treatise that fails to address the fundamental flaws of communism. Engels' lack of consideration for human nature, economic realities, and the diversity of human experiences weakens the overall argument and renders the book unconvincing and irrelevant in the face of historical evidence and practical considerations.
marlasmirkingrevenge's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
shhherald's review against another edition
5.0
Engels' level of clarity in writing is something I aspire to. For such a small volume, it accomplished so much. With respect to the book's objectives, the execution was flawless.
barium_squirrel's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
A very interesting little tract about 19th century communism. Some interesting highlights: Engels groups what we would today call facists, neoliberals, and democratic socialists together under the heading of socialists (and says all three groups are the enemy of communism). Engels defines "proletariat " as essentially unskilled workers who own no property. Skilled workers are defined as "handycraftsmen" and people who own property but live off of their own labor are "petty bourgeoisie". Engels imagines an ideal communist future as one in which there essentially is no skilled labor and anybody can do any job at any point in their career.
Very interesting to see how things have changed over the past 200 years or so
Very interesting to see how things have changed over the past 200 years or so
the_weirdling's review against another edition
4.0
This reads like the first ever FAQ on Communism, and in a way, that’s exactly what this is. For what it’s worth, I think this is actually a better introduction to Communism than the Communist Manifesto. I find Engles was often a better, clearer writer than his bestie, Karl.