What were some of the problems that workers faced in 19th century Europe according to Marx and Engels in "The Communist Manifesto" What were their solutions to these problems and how did these solutions compare to David Ricardo and Samuel Smiles solutions??

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In "The Communist Manifesto," Marx and Engels discuss several problems that workers faced in 19th century Europe. They identified three major issues that workers encountered: exploitation, alienation, and instability.

Exploitation: Marx and Engels argued that the capitalist system inherently exploited workers. They believed that capitalists, who owned the means of production, extracted surplus value from the labor of workers, paying them wages that were less than the value they created. Their solution to this problem was the establishment of a communist society, where private ownership of the means of production would be abolished, and the means of production would be collectively owned and operated by the workers, ensuring fair distribution of wealth.

Alienation: Marx and Engels highlighted how under capitalism, workers became disconnected from the products of their labor, leading to feelings of alienation. They argued that workers had no control over the process of production and were reduced to mere appendages of the machines they operated. To overcome this, they proposed a society in which workers had control over the means of production, allowing them to have a more fulfilling and meaningful work experience.

Instability: Marx and Engels criticized the recurring cycles of booms and busts in capitalist economies, which led to unemployment, poverty, and social upheaval. They believed that the inherently volatile nature of capitalism would inevitably lead to crises. Their solution was the establishment of a communist society, where fluctuations in production and distribution would be eliminated through centralized planning.

In comparison, the solutions offered by David Ricardo and Samuel Smiles differed significantly from Marx and Engels' proposals.

David Ricardo, an economist, focused on the problems of poverty and low wages. He suggested that economic growth, achieved through free trade and limited government intervention, would improve the conditions of the working class. Ricardo's solution relied on the market forces of supply and demand, aiming for increased productivity and lower prices.

Samuel Smiles, on the other hand, emphasized individual effort and self-help as the means for workers to improve their conditions. He believed that self-improvement, education, and personal responsibility were the pathways to success and social mobility. Smiles promoted the idea that hard work and determination could enable workers to overcome poverty and achieve upward mobility.

While Ricardo and Smiles focused on individual agency and improving conditions within the existing capitalist system, Marx and Engels' solutions called for a fundamental restructuring of society, with collective ownership of the means of production and the elimination of class divisions.