The World-Wide, Historical Mission of the Working Class

Abstract

On what did Marx and Engels base their prediction on the world-wide, historical mission of the working class? First, on the fact that the working class, as the most exploited class in capitalist society, is by reason of its living conditions the most consistent and uncompromising enemy of the capitalist order. Vital interests force the worker into an uncompromising fight with capitalism. (310) Second, they saw that the worker is, by his whole position in the process of production, bound up not with the past but with the future of the whole of society.... Above all, this means that the development of the material basis of capitalism — i.e. heavy industry — ... leads to a numerical increase of workers and to an increase of their role in the life of society. It further means that the interests and the efforts of the working class coincide with the basic direction in the development of the forces of production.... When Marx and Engels drew the conclusion that it is precisely the working class which is called upon to destroy capitalism and to construct socialism, they were operating on the fact that it is the only class which has the fighting qualities which are necessary for the realization of such an immense historical task. (310–311)