Critique of the Gotha Program
Encyclopedia
The Critique of the Gotha Program is a document based on a letter by Karl Marx
written in early May 1875 to the Eisenach
faction of the German social democratic movement, with whom Marx and Friedrich Engels
were in close association. Offering perhaps Marx's most detailed pronouncement on programmatic matters of revolutionary strategy, the document discusses the "dictatorship of the proletariat
," the period of transition from capitalism
to communism
, proletarian internationalism
, and the party of the working class
.
The Critique is also notable for elucidating the principle of "To each according to his contribution
" as the basis for a "lower phase" of communist society directly following the transition from capitalism, and "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need
s" as the basis for a future "higher phase" of communism society. In describing the lower phase, he says that "the individual receives from society exactly what he gives to it." The Critique of the Gotha Program, published after his death, was one of Marx's last major writings.
The letter is named for the town of Gotha
, where a forthcoming party congress
was to take place. At the party congress, the Eisenachers planned to unite with the Lassallean faction to form a unified party later to become the powerful German Social Democratic Party
. The Eisenachers sent the draft program for a united party to Marx for his comments. Marx found the program negatively affected by the influence of Ferdinand Lassalle
, whom Marx regarded as an opportunist willing to limit the demands of the workers' movement for concessions from the government. However, at the congress held in Gotha in late May 1875, the draft program was accepted
with only minor alterations.
The letter was published much later, in 1891, when the German Social Democratic Party had declared its intention of adopting a new program and Engels got Marx's programmatic letter published.
Karl Marx
Karl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement...
written in early May 1875 to the Eisenach
Eisenach
Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...
faction of the German social democratic movement, with whom Marx and Friedrich Engels
Friedrich Engels
Friedrich Engels was a German industrialist, social scientist, author, political theorist, philosopher, and father of Marxist theory, alongside Karl Marx. In 1845 he published The Condition of the Working Class in England, based on personal observations and research...
were in close association. Offering perhaps Marx's most detailed pronouncement on programmatic matters of revolutionary strategy, the document discusses the "dictatorship of the proletariat
Dictatorship of the proletariat
In Marxist socio-political thought, the dictatorship of the proletariat refers to a socialist state in which the proletariat, or the working class, have control of political power. The term, coined by Joseph Weydemeyer, was adopted by the founders of Marxism, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, in the...
," the period of transition from capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
to communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
, proletarian internationalism
Proletarian internationalism
Proletarian internationalism, sometimes referred to as international socialism, is a Marxist social class concept based on the view that capitalism is now a global system, and therefore the working class must act as a global class if it is to defeat it...
, and the party of the working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
.
The Critique is also notable for elucidating the principle of "To each according to his contribution
To each according to his contribution
To each according to his contribution is considered by socialists and Marxist socialists as a characteristic of society directly following the transition to socialism, but preceding the final step to communism...
" as the basis for a "lower phase" of communist society directly following the transition from capitalism, and "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need is a slogan popularised by Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program. In German, "Jeder nach seinen Fähigkeiten, jedem nach seinen Bedürfnissen!"...
s" as the basis for a future "higher phase" of communism society. In describing the lower phase, he says that "the individual receives from society exactly what he gives to it." The Critique of the Gotha Program, published after his death, was one of Marx's last major writings.
The letter is named for the town of Gotha
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...
, where a forthcoming party congress
Party Congress
A party congress is a general conference of a political party. The congress is attended by delegates who represent the party membership. In most parties the party congress is the highest decision making body of the organisation and elects the party's leadership bodies such as the National Executive...
was to take place. At the party congress, the Eisenachers planned to unite with the Lassallean faction to form a unified party later to become the powerful German Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
. The Eisenachers sent the draft program for a united party to Marx for his comments. Marx found the program negatively affected by the influence of Ferdinand Lassalle
Ferdinand Lassalle
Ferdinand Lassalle was a German-Jewish jurist and socialist political activist.-Early life:Ferdinand Lassalle was born on 11 April 1825 in Breslau , Silesia to a prosperous Jewish family descending from Upper Silesian Loslau...
, whom Marx regarded as an opportunist willing to limit the demands of the workers' movement for concessions from the government. However, at the congress held in Gotha in late May 1875, the draft program was accepted
Gotha Program
The Gotha Program was the name given to the party platform adopted by the nascent German Social Democratic Party at its initial party congress, held in the town of Gotha in 1875. The program called for universal suffrage, freedom of association, limits on the working day, and for other laws...
with only minor alterations.
The letter was published much later, in 1891, when the German Social Democratic Party had declared its intention of adopting a new program and Engels got Marx's programmatic letter published.