The Communist Manifesto book club questions

The reading plan

Meeting 1: Part 1 to Chapter 1

1. When faced with hostility, what might Communists gain or risk by making their aims public?
2. How convincing is the argument that industry creates opposing classes?
3. How does discussing economic crises alongside capitalist power shape your view of that power?
4. What difference might growing political organization make to workers facing class conflict?
5. What would you need to know to judge whether economic crises strengthen workers' political organization?

Meeting 2: Chapter 2

6. Which subject most needs a convincing answer: property, family, or nationality? Why?
7. What makes an answer to objections about property fair rather than merely persuasive?
8. How does addressing family change the scope of an argument that has traced industry and class conflict?
9. How might the statement's international beginnings affect your reading of its answers about nationality?
10. What difference does it make that answers to objections come before measures for working-class rule?

Meeting 3: Chapters 3 to 4

11. Can reformers meaningfully challenge society while resisting independent working-class struggle? Why or why not?
12. How should readers weigh reformers' criticisms against the class interests examined in this chapter?
13. What might explain why criticizing existing society does not lead these reformers to support independent working-class struggle?
14. When should shared opposition be enough to justify an alliance?
15. What would distinguish an alliance that protects working-class interests from one that compromises them?

Themes to talk about

Tips for the host

1. Open each meeting with one question everyone can answer, then go deeper.
2. Anyone who fell behind can catch up with the 15-minute summary.