Political economy came into being as a natural result of the expansion of trade, and with its appearance elementary, unscientific huckstering was replaced by a developed system of licensed fraud, an entire science of enrichment.
Friedrich EngelsRead
...it was always our view that in order to attain this [proletarian revolution] and the other far more important aims of the future social revolution, the working class must first take possession of the organised political power of the state and by its aid crush the resistance of the capitalist class and organise society anew.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The working class must seize political power to initiate a social revolution against capitalism.
In this quote, Friedrich Engels argues that for the proletariat to achieve a successful social revolution, they must first gain control of the political apparatus of the state. This control is seen as essential for dismantling the capitalist structures of society and re-organizing it according to the principles of socialism, thus enabling a transformation of social order through political means.
Themes
ProletariatRevolutionPolitical PowerCapitalismSocialismWorking Class
In practice
Example use cases
During a political rally advocating for workers' rights, this quote could be used to emphasize the need for political action.
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The slave frees himself when, of all the relations of private property, he abolishes only the relation of slavery and thereby becomes a proletarian; the proletarian can free himself only by abolishing private property in general.
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