Bautista 1

Randolph Bautista
Professor Maria Ogbara
English 101
27 October 2015
Carnegie vs. Marx: Capitalism vs. Communism
In The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx wrote the laborers, who must sell
themselves piecemeal, are a commodity, like every other article of commerce. Marx is trying to
explain that in a capitalistic view, the bourgeoisie, or the rich, see the proletariats, or the poor, as
parts of machines for their business. He claims that this ideal is inhumane because it does not
treat everyone as equals, rather they are people who are replaceable. However, Andrew Carnegie
believes this inequality in classes help progress humans for a better future. To-day the world
obtains commodities of excellent quality. Carnegie states that due to this progression, the lower
class have privileges that generations before did not have. Therefore, capitalism is compatible
with humanity, because the work that is done either by the rich, or poor, is for the survival of
humans.
In the past, there were classes from peasants to royalty. Marx states, in the earlier epoch
of history we find almost everywhere a complicated arrangement of society into various orders, a
manifold gradation of social rank. He continues with examples from Rome and the Middle
Ages, explaining that there have always been subordinate classes. This system has continued into
todays generation as, what Marx calls, the bourgeoisie and the proletariats. According to Marx,
the bourgeoisie of each generation brings along new ways to oppress the the proletariats. This act
is inhumane for Mar. Now, these changes may seem inhumane, however, it shows progresss
between the two classes. As Carnegie states, a relapse to old conditions would be disastrous to

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both. As humans progress, certain luxuries and commodities are obtained as essentials for the
race. A few generations back, smartphones and cell phone were only in science fiction. Today, it
is in everyones pockets, and there are those who strive through these smartphones. There are
humans that are rich and consider the lower class as commodities, however, these commodities
are paid for their services. The rich need the lower class to survive, so it is not inhuman to use
others for the survival of the race.
There is inequality among humans. However, this inequality brings along the law of
competition. Due to this law, Carnegie claims, human society loses homogeneity. One example
is the working class and the middle class. The middle class can include mangers that make
enough to own a home, and live comfortably. The working class are the people employed by the
managers. There will be people that would like the same job, or pay, as the manager, and will
work to increase his or her class. In a capitalistic view, there is room for improvement for each
class. Marx states, in proportion as the bourgeoisie, i.e., capital, is developed, in the same
proportion is the proletariat, the modern working class, developed This claims that as the
richer progresses, the lower class develops, too. Therefore, it is not truly inhumane because there
is always progression for the social classes.
The communistic point of view asks for equality. Carnegie explains, in former days
there was little difference between the dwelling, dress, food, and environment of the chief and
those of his retainers. Therefore, there was a point in time where equality was present, however,
the chief was still the leader, which will be considered as a higher class. It is natural for there to
be leaders and followers. This leads to the claim that there is always social inequality. However,
in capitalism, people are able to climb through the classes. The progress continues with social
Darwinism, because people can evolve and adapt to their social classes.

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Capitalism is not inhumane among rich or poor. The bourgeoisie need the proletariats for
their businesses to survive. The lower class competes to be placed in a higher social class.
Capitalism allows the privilege to do better.

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Works Cited
Carnegie, Andrew. "The Gospel of Wealth." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College
Writers 9th (2013): 485-95. Print.
Marx, Karl. "The Communist Manifesto." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers 9th
(2014): 456-67. Print.