A comparison and contrast of the theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels - Essay Example

The theories of Marx and Engels envisage a social order where all mankind could avail of wealth collectively created and live in peace and harmony. Communism they believed was a state where the freedom of the individual was assured and the evils of child labor and illiteracy and miserable condition of he common man would come to an end. It is a tribute to the genius of these two men, that many of their theories have been adopted, bringing in change that has made the world a better place than it was in their time.

Karl Marx the German philosopher, economist and revolutionary thinker is best known as the founder of modern socialism and communism. His friend Friedrich Engels, who some people referred to as Marx’s alter ego, was also a revolutionary with ideas similar to those of Marx. These two great thinkers shared their views on capitalism socialism and communism, and, as Engels once commented there was complete agreement in all theoretical fields. Engels collaborated with Marx in writing his famous work Das Kapital which is an analysis of economic and social history; and after his death edited and published the remaining two volumes of the book.

Marx and Engels also co-authored The Communist manifesto that lays down the principles of communism and the role of the working class (Proletariat) in overthrowing the yoke of the bourgeoisie (Capitalists). In fact these two men collaborated so closely and their ideas were so much alike that it is often impossible to tell their individual contributions apart in their writings. The ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are commonly referred to as Marxism. The friendship of these two revolutionary thinkers is considered quite remarkable.

Marx was a man whose barbed remarks spared neither friend nor foe. His life therefore is a saga of misunderstandings and broken relationships. Yet, his relationship with Engels which began