response to Karl Marx Communist Manifesto

The political philosophy of Karl Marx is often characterized as a ‘ruthless criticism of all things existing’. Yet from his biographical context, we also know that Marx was a man full of great empathy and solidarity with the suffering of human beings, particularly the workers of the Industrial Revolution.

In this discussion post, use two to three quotations from Chapter One of Marx’s Communist Manifesto to assess the ‘ruthless’ (that is to say, unsentimental) insights of Marx and Engels’ work, as both a political analysis of their time and a way of practicing social science. Additionally, how do Marx’s views and Machiavelli’s understanding of human conflict, hierarchy, and nationalism, differ and overlap? Be specific no broad statements. The more detiled the better.

Should be 2-3 paragraphs.