title: The Literate Communist: 150 Years of the "Communist Manifesto&lt;/I&gt; (Major Concepts in Politics and Political Theory)
author:  Donald Clark Hodges 
description: The author's thesis is that the Manifesto's marriage of incompatibles paradoxically makes communism credible. The book has 'legs.' It could well be used in the classroom. Its thesis is controversial enough to attract wide notice. (D. Paul Thomas, University of California, Berkeley)<br /> The nebulous, impossible dream of Marxism retains an ability sporadically to bedazzle certain dreamers - and even some practical-minded realists. Donald Clark Hodges offers highly original explanations as to why a phoenix- and chameleon-like Marxism doesn't die - no matter the degree to which it seems to fade away. (Fredrick B. Pike, Emeritus Professor, University of Notre Dame)<br /> Amazingly insightful. This important and pathbreaking study offers the most comprehensive understanding to date of the perplexing and consequential 1848 Manifesto. Anyone who considers herself or himself knowledgeable about Marxism must read this book - and read it twice (Dale Maurice Riepe, Emeritus Professor, State University of New York)<br />
zlib_text:   
  Transcribed by Allen Lutins with assistance from Jim Tarzia.
  
   **MANIFESTO OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY**
  
  [From the English edition of 1888, edited by Friedrich Engels]
  
  A spectre is haunting Europe--the spectre of Communism.  
  All the Powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise
  this spectre: Pope and Czar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German
  police-spies.
  
  Where is the party in opposition that has not been decried as Communistic by
  its opponents in power? Where is the Opposition that has not hurled back the
  branding reproach of Communism, against the more advanced opposition parties,
  as well as against its reactionary adversaries?
  
  Two things result from this fact.
  
  I. Communism is already acknowledged by all European Powers to be itself a
  Power.
  
  II. It is high time that Communists should openly, in the face of the whole
  world, publish their views, their aims, their tendencies, and meet this
  nursery tale of the Spectre of Communism with a Manifesto 