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Single Idea 5302

[from 'The Communist Manifesto' by K Marx / F Engels, in 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 9. Communism ]

Full Idea

The executive of the modern State is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.

Clarification

The 'bourgeoisie' are the owners of the means of production

Gist of Idea

Modern governments are just bourgeois management committees

Source

K Marx / F Engels (The Communist Manifesto [1848], §1)

Book Reference

Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The Communist Manifesto', ed/tr. Taylor,A.J.P. [Penguin 1973], p.82


A Reaction

In Britain the Labour Party and the Trade Unions have appeared since 1848, but bourgeoisie control of the media has pushed us a long way back towards Marx's time. Government will always be someone's management committee.