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Discourse on the Origin of Inequality
- Narrated by: Adriel Brandt
- Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins
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Publisher's summary
Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men by the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was originally written for an essay competition run by the Dijon Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1754. The question was, "What is the origin of inequality among men, and is it authorized by the natural law?" Rousseau's text is divided into four main parts: a dedication, preface, an extended inquiry into the nature of the individual, and another inquiry into the evolution of the human species within society. Rousseau discusses two types of inequality: natural inequality and moral inequality. Concerned with moral inequality, Rousseau contends that it is unique to civil society, is established by convention and is seen in differences in "wealth, nobility or rank, power and personal merit". Rousseau takes a cynical view of civil society, claiming that man has strayed from his "natural state" of individual independence and freedom to satisfy his individual needs and desires.
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"Anarchy" (1907) is a political classic written by famous anarchist Errico Malatesta. "Anarchy is a word which comes from the Greek, and signifies, strictly speaking, without government: the state of a people without any constituted authority. Before such an organization had begun to be considered possible and desirable by a whole class of thinkers, so as to be taken as the aim of a party (which party has now become one of the most important factors in modern social warfare)."
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Malatesta is a Fantastic writer.
- By Elly on 08-28-21
By: Errico Malatesta
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Dialogues of Plato
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: Pat Bottino
- Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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The Dialogues of Plato rank with the writings of Aristotle as the most important and influential philosophical works in Western thought. In them Plato cast his teacher Socrates as the central disputant in colloquies that brilliantly probe a vast spectrum of philosophical ideas and issues.
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Not Complete Dialogues
- By Jill on 08-30-07
By: Plato
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The Story of Philosophy
- The Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers
- By: Will Durant
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 19 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Durant lucidly describes the philosophical systems of such world-famous “monarchs of the mind” as Plato, Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Spinoza, Kant, Voltaire, and Nietzsche. Along with their ideas, he offers their flesh-and-blood biographies, placing their thoughts within their own time and place and elucidating their influence on our modern intellectual heritage. This book is packed with wisdom and wit.
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Fantastic and insightful book
- By ESK on 01-25-13
By: Will Durant
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On Liberty
- By: John Stuart Mill
- Narrated by: Alastair Cameron
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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On Liberty is a book by John Stuart Mill, one of the most celebrated philosophers on the subject of leadership and governing ideals. The book focuses on Mill's philosophy on utilitarianism which is one of his defining principles. The principles of the book are focused on developing a relationship between the ruling authority and liberty.
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Must read
- By Trevor M. on 08-04-21
By: John Stuart Mill
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The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates
- By: Xenophon, Edward Bysshe - translator
- Narrated by: Nicholas Tecosky
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Xenophon was a Greek who admired and studied with Socrates. He marched with the Spartans and later was exiled from Athens. He wrote about the history of his times, the sayings of Socrates and about life in Greece. Edward Bysshe translated Xenophone's work in 1702. This translation has continued to have an excellent reputation. In this work Xenophon discusses the views of life taught by Socrates.
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Philosopher, Soldier, Historian and Mercenary
- By Darwin8u on 12-04-12
By: Xenophon, and others
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The Strenuous Life: Essays and Addresses of Theodore Roosevelt
- By: Theodore Roosevelt
- Narrated by: George Doyle
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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"The Strenuous Life: Essays and Addresses" is a collection of Theodore Roosevelt's published commentaries and public addresses on what is necessary for a vital and healthy political, social and individual life. Roosevelt states the main point of his speech in the opening remarks: "I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife.
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Good book. Poor presentation.
- By Thomas on 01-27-20
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Politics
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: Matthew Josdal
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Aristotle's Politics is a work of political philosophy. The end of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics declared that the inquiry into ethics necessarily follows into politics, and the two works are frequently considered to be parts of a larger treatise, or perhaps connected lectures, dealing with the philosophy of human affairs. Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory.
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Aristotle Lives Again!
- By Jeff on 02-25-15
By: Aristotle
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On Revolution
- By: Hannah Arendt
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Hannah Arendt's penetrating observations on the modern world, based on a profound knowledge of the past, have been fundamental to our understanding of our political landscape. On Revolution is her classic exploration of a phenomenon that has reshaped the globe. From the 18th-century rebellions in America and France to the explosive changes of the 20th century, Arendt traces the changing face of revolution and its relationship to war while underscoring the crucial role such events will play in the future.
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Insightful Analysis of Differing Revolutions
- By Roger on 01-10-18
By: Hannah Arendt
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On the Social Contract
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Erik Sandval
- Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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On the Social Contract's appeal and influence has been wide-ranging and continuous. It has been called an encomium to democracy and, at the same time, a blueprint for totalitarianism. Individualists, collectivists, anarchists, and socialists have all taken courage from Rousseau's controversial masterpiece.
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Classic. Must read.
- By David Bonifacio on 07-22-17
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Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality Among Men
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Neville Jason
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- Unabridged
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Rousseau's Discourse sets out to explore the origin of inequality among people, a journey that sees him trace the evolution of humans from the savage man to the foundations of civil society. With verve and passion, the philosopher argues that the birth of private property was the "beginning of evil". Throughout the book we are led to consider the development of language, reason, self-preservation, benevolence, pity, and law - all through the lens of perhaps the most original thinker of the 18th century.
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Too difficult to follow
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Of the Social Contract and Other Political Writings
- Penguin Classics
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Quintin Hoare, Christopher Bertram
- Narrated by: Heather Long, John Kapansa, Roy McMillan
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has stirred vigorous debate ever since its first publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to wield authority over others, Rousseau argues instead for a pact, or 'social contract', that should exist between all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of sovereign power.
By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and others
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Leviathan
- or The Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: James Adams
- Length: 23 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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The leviathan is the vast unity of the State. But how are unity, peace, and security to be attained? Hobbes’ answer is sovereignty, but the resurgence of interest today in Leviathan is due less to its answers than its methods: Hobbes sees politics as a science capable of the same axiomatic approach as geometry.
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For PoliSci Graduate Students as a Readalong
- By deborah on 01-14-12
By: Thomas Hobbes
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Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
John Locke (1632-1704) was a product of his troubled times: he lived through the English Civil War, the Interregnum, the Restoration, Monmouth’s Rebellion, the Bloody Assizes and the Glorious Revolution. His empirical thinking was very much directed at finding rational solutions to the root causes of those troubles.
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biblical reasons against monarchy
- By Kindle Customer on 02-09-20
By: John Locke
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau Collection
- The Social Contract & Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality Among Men
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Rory Young
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
As one of the most influential philosophers and thinkers of the mid-18th century, Jean-Jacques Rousseau left behind a powerful and commanding legacy which helped shape great events including the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. His ideas on humanity, civil society, and democracy have made him a leading figure in modern political and philosophical thought. Exploring two of his most famous and influential works, this collection reveals Rousseau’s timeless insights and theories, offering listeners a unique glimpse into the past and the knowledge of a time long past.
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On the Social Contract
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Erik Sandval
- Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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On the Social Contract's appeal and influence has been wide-ranging and continuous. It has been called an encomium to democracy and, at the same time, a blueprint for totalitarianism. Individualists, collectivists, anarchists, and socialists have all taken courage from Rousseau's controversial masterpiece.
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Classic. Must read.
- By David Bonifacio on 07-22-17
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Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality Among Men
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Neville Jason
- Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rousseau's Discourse sets out to explore the origin of inequality among people, a journey that sees him trace the evolution of humans from the savage man to the foundations of civil society. With verve and passion, the philosopher argues that the birth of private property was the "beginning of evil". Throughout the book we are led to consider the development of language, reason, self-preservation, benevolence, pity, and law - all through the lens of perhaps the most original thinker of the 18th century.
-
-
Too difficult to follow
- By Ege's mom on 10-30-18
-
Of the Social Contract and Other Political Writings
- Penguin Classics
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Quintin Hoare, Christopher Bertram
- Narrated by: Heather Long, John Kapansa, Roy McMillan
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
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Story
These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has stirred vigorous debate ever since its first publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to wield authority over others, Rousseau argues instead for a pact, or 'social contract', that should exist between all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of sovereign power.
By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and others
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Leviathan
- or The Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: James Adams
- Length: 23 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The leviathan is the vast unity of the State. But how are unity, peace, and security to be attained? Hobbes’ answer is sovereignty, but the resurgence of interest today in Leviathan is due less to its answers than its methods: Hobbes sees politics as a science capable of the same axiomatic approach as geometry.
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-
For PoliSci Graduate Students as a Readalong
- By deborah on 01-14-12
By: Thomas Hobbes
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Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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John Locke (1632-1704) was a product of his troubled times: he lived through the English Civil War, the Interregnum, the Restoration, Monmouth’s Rebellion, the Bloody Assizes and the Glorious Revolution. His empirical thinking was very much directed at finding rational solutions to the root causes of those troubles.
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biblical reasons against monarchy
- By Kindle Customer on 02-09-20
By: John Locke
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau Collection
- The Social Contract & Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality Among Men
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Rory Young
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As one of the most influential philosophers and thinkers of the mid-18th century, Jean-Jacques Rousseau left behind a powerful and commanding legacy which helped shape great events including the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. His ideas on humanity, civil society, and democracy have made him a leading figure in modern political and philosophical thought. Exploring two of his most famous and influential works, this collection reveals Rousseau’s timeless insights and theories, offering listeners a unique glimpse into the past and the knowledge of a time long past.
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Two Treatises of Government
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: James Langton
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Often considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract.
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Don't let the title scare you off!
- By Travis on 07-09-12
By: John Locke
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The Reveries of the Solitary Walker
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies
- Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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The Reveries of the Solitary Walker was one of the last works written by the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) and was, in fact, not quite complete. It was published four years after his death and came quickly to be regarded as one of his most poetic works. It consists of 10 Walks (only the final ‘Walk’ was unfinished) during which he muses on a variety of topics including thoughts on issues which featured strongly in his notable life as a philosopher and commentator, including education and political philosophy.
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Good but lacking
- By Ya'at'eeh on 06-05-23
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Emile or On Education
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Barbara Foxley - translator
- Narrated by: Jonathan Booth
- Length: 22 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Published in 1762, it had a profound impact on the approach to the education and upbringing of a child, through infancy, childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. This was partly fuelled by the format – for Rousseau presents before us the boy Emile, taking him through the various stages of life, and as Emile becomes a young man, introducing a female counterpart, Sophie. This device personalises what would otherwise be a more formal philosophical presentation.
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Excellent narration
- By Harry Ballan on 07-07-24
By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and others
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Pride and Prejudice
- By: Jane Austen
- Narrated by: Joanne Froggatt
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
One of the world’s favourite books, Pride and Prejudice has long been regarded as a classic romance. In Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jane Austen created the greatest pair of sparring lovers since Shakespeare’s Beatrice and Benedick. This sparkling comedy of manners features an inimitable cast of characters including the obsequious Mr Collins, the autocratic Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mrs Bennet, the most embarrassing mother in literature.
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Joanne Froggatt best narrator - well done!
- By theNaturalist on 08-30-24
By: Jane Austen
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A Tale of Two Cities
- By: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: Jerry Trant
- Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille, the ageing Doctor Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There the lives of two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil roads of London, they are drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror, and they soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.
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Terrible Narration
- By Amazon Customer on 10-23-20
By: Charles Dickens
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The Communist Manifesto
- By: Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels
- Narrated by: Peter Coates
- Length: 1 hr and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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"Manifesto of the Communist Party" by Karl Heinrich Marx and Friedrich Engels is a book where, for the first time, the aims, tasks and methods of fight of the emerging communist organisations and parties of the nineteenth century were declared and explained. It is the greatest philosophic and political treatise that is important in some way even nowadays. According to experts, Manifesto is a powerful work that still can be used as a good method to mobilize people.
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Incomplete
- By Bahen on 04-20-21
By: Karl Marx, and others