Communist Manifesto Oct. 24

Bellwrite #23: Evaluate Marx's communism. What do you think of it? What is true? What is not true or not completely true? What part(s) of his theory are you still trying to understand?

We have diagrammed Marx's vision for world history.

In discussing the bellwrite prompt, we considered some of the following:

Truths:

• The good society can only be built on the consent of the governed (respecting agency).
• Marx touches on true values: the equality of men and women of all social classes, overcoming contention/enmity/pride (or class struggles) which is at the heart of most social problems, attitudes and beliefs are generational (get passed from grandparents to parents to children), hearts and minds must change for a perfect society.
• Private property is essential for people to be accountable (Law of the Harvest).
• Families, religions, and government have many times in history been misused in a way that victimizes others; however, families are essential to God's purposes and when built on true principles can unlock human potential. Likewise, religions, and governments can support human liberty and the exercise of agency in righteous ways.

Falsehoods:

• The ends justify the means. (Actually, the ends of a good society do not justify the means of force or "despotic inroads on the rights of property," as Marx puts it.)
• Schools in and of themselves can educate hearts and minds. (Actually, only Christ and His light can change hearts and minds. If schools help students experience the light of Christ, then they can facilitate the process.)
• Private property is the cause of exploitation. (Actually, private property allows humans to exercise agency and choose whether they will use it to do good and build others or take advantage of and tear down others.)
• Families (marriage), religions, and government are creations of man to institutionalize and insulate tyranny. (Actually, families, religions, and government are instituted of God to bless all mankind.)

Homework:

• Spelling/vocabulary proposals were due today.
• Read Red Scarf Girl through page 71 by Monday.
• History questions about communism are due Monday. Please respond to each of the following in 1-2 fully developed paragraphs:

1. According to Marx, what is the good society like?
2. According to Marx, how will the world get there?
3. Evaluate Marx's theory.