The Condition of the Working Class in England · Chapter
The Attitude of the Bourgeoisie Towards the Proletariat explained
Engels condemns the English bourgeoisie for its utter selfishness and hypocrisy, arguing that all social relations are reduced to cash payment and that the proletariat is seen merely as 'hands' or 'Labour.' He critiques the New Poor Law of
What happens
Engels condemns the English bourgeoisie for its utter selfishness and hypocrisy, arguing that all social relations are reduced to cash payment and that the proletariat is seen merely as 'hands' or 'Labour.' He critiques the New Poor Law of 1834 as a public declaration that workers are superfluous, and he warns that the bourgeoisie's greed and short-sightedness may lead to revolution or ruin through foreign competition.
Themes in this chapter
Bourgeois Hypocrisy and Philanthropy
Engels exposes the bourgeoisie's philanthropic institutions as a sham, concealing their egotism and indifference to workers' suffering.
Class Conflict
The chapter highlights the antagonism between the bourgeoisie and proletariat, with the former seeing the latter only as 'hands' or 'Labour.'
Social Murder
The New Poor Law is described as a public declaration that proletarians are not human beings, effectively sentencing them to starvation.
Industrial Capitalism
The bourgeoisie's obsession with money and free competition is shown as the driving force behind the exploitation of labor.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator (Engels) provides a first-hand account of bourgeois attitudes and the condition of the working class.
- The English
The English bourgeoisie is described as deeply demoralized, selfish, and incapable of progress.
- Thomas Carlyle
Carlyle is quoted on 'Cash Payment' as the only nexus between man and man, and on the need to organize labour.
- McCulloch
McCulloch is cited as the bourgeoisie's favorite economist, dismissing American competition as impossible.
- Thomas Malthus
Malthus's theory of 'superfluity' is used to justify the New Poor Law, treating poverty as a crime.
- Sir Robert Peel
Peel, as Prime Minister, defends the New Poor Law, showing the whole bourgeoisie's approval.
- P. Gaskell
Gaskell is cited as early as 1833, despairing of a peaceful issue and predicting revolution.
Key passages
“And yet there is a great deal of money made here; good morning, sir.”
The bourgeois dismisses the squalid conditions of workers' quarters because profit is all that matters.
Illustrates the bourgeoisie's indifference to the suffering of the proletariat.
“Cash Payment is the only nexus between man and man.”
All human relationships are reduced to monetary transactions.
Carlyle's phrase encapsulates the dehumanizing effect of capitalism.
“War to palaces, peace unto cabins—that is a battle-cry of terror which may come to resound throughout our country.”
The Times warns that the wealthy may face a violent uprising from the poor.
Shows that even the bourgeois press recognized the danger of social unrest.
