Smith and Marx Document Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Smith and Marx Document Analysis - Essay Example The Wealth of Nations (1776) composed by Adam Smith is a historical text which advances the idea of capitalism. Capitalism sets the foundation for America’s government and economy. Adam Smith’s view is to encourage a liberalization of the world market with no barriers to trade. Smith lives and writes The Enlightenment period of world history during which the light of reason shines. Revolutions are being kindled; old social orders are being done away and free-thinkers emerge with new perspectives. Regimes such as aristocracy, monarchy and feudalism begin to experience the action of undermining and another group is surging into power, the nouveau-riches – a people who earn fortunes from industry. Absolute control is no longer pleasing to the enlightened ear. Instead, independence obtains wide currency. According to the Communist Manifesto, the essence of history comprises of class struggle. Marx and Engels commence with the statement that "the history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggles." The Marxist document launches into a narrative explaining that from the dawn of Greco-Roman civilization to the time of the manifesto’s publication, history has its roots deep in the conflict of dual ideologies. One dominant camp, â€Å"the oppressor,† seeks to retain a monopoly on wealth and power; whereas the recessive consisting of â€Å"the oppressed† serves to fulfill the interests of the powerful. The divergence of ideas engenders both overt and subtle war between ruling and servant classes. Again,  Marx  and Engels reiterate that â€Å"the history of all past society has consisted in the development of class antagonisms† (The Communist Manifesto). The pyramidal structure or gradation of society remains as a threat to harmony among social classes. From antiquity to modernity, the dichotomous conflict with respect to class