communist manifesto by karl marx and freidrich engels. help?

Question

we have to write an essay, but the topic doesnt quite make since to me:

analyze the ways that the communist manifesto drew on the enlightenment concepts or progress, natural law and reason.

what does progress, natural law and reasonhave to do with anything? examples of anything would help a bunch.

oh my god, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Answer 1

Natural law is something that is obvious to every one and exists because it exists, not because some one "passed" it. An example is when Thomas Jefferson explains the basis for declaring independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: 1) That all men are created equal, 2) That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, 3) That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, 4) That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

So in the communist manifesto, you should look for statements of natural laws: Things that every one "just knows." Then look for reason: Logical arguments that start from natural laws or the idea of progress and reach a conclusion.

Ask yourself: What is it, in one sentence, in your own words, that Marx and Engels want you to conclude with them when you've finished? What line of reasoning to they use to try to persuade you?

"Progress" is the idea that as time goes on, things naturally get "better." It would be somehow "wrong" or against the natural order of things if they got worse. Part of the argument may be that if you're not with Marx and Engels, you're against progress, and to be against progress is wrong.

Good luck with your essay!