“Law, morality, [and] religion are to him so many bourgeois prejudices, behind which lurk in ambush just as many bourgeois interests” (Marx, 1848). In order to fully understand the gravity of the Marxist theory of law, one must grasp the terminology used in the German political pamphlet. The “Proletariat,” which will be referenced later, is what we in modern times would call the working class and what Marx referred to as the “producing” class. According to Marx, their livelihood depends on their ability to work manual labor. On the other end of the spectrum lies the “Bourgeois” society. This social class is composed of those owners who possess the means of production by way of private property. The Marxist theory suggests that this class division is the driving factor behind societal conflict and disorder, …show more content…
In the years leading up to the publication of the Communist Manifesto, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. Urbanization, child labor laws, and safety regulations were eventually created as a result of the revolution, yet the working conditions that caused these reforms were appalling by modern standards (Chappine, 2017). Working hours were long. Normal shifts ranged from 12-14 hours per day, and workers often cleaned their machines during their mealtimes. This does not include any extra time laborers had to work during busy periods. The wages provided were exceptionally low for all, but women and children were paid even less than their male counterparts. The workload was not a reflection of this discrepancy, either. Furthermore, discipline was harsh to any exhausted employees. Punishments included being hit with a leather strap and children getting their ears nailed to tables. Accidents and illnesses were commonplace during the “industrial revolution,” as well (BBC, 2017). It is no wonder that Karl Marx sharply drew the lines between the proletariat and the