Ep 2. Marx and Engels: An Intellectual Partnership

Marx and Engels: An Intellectual Partnership is the second episode of season 1 of The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin. The episode delves deep into the infamous intellectual partnership between Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, two individuals who played a significant role in the formation of communism. The episode sheds light on their early life, their encounter and their combined efforts to articulate their views on the socio-political conditions of the industrial revolution.

The episode takes us on a journey towards the creation of Marx's masterpiece, The Communist Manifesto which is co-authored by Engels. The show explores their unique friendship and how they were able to shape each other's ideas. Marx, on one hand, was a philosopher and economist whereas Engels was a journalist and critic, together they complemented each other's intelligence and had a firm understanding of the flaws associated with the capitalist system.

The show's focus on the intellectual partnership between Marx and Engels is fascinating as it highlights the intellectual and emotional bonds between the two. In the early years of their partnership, they developed their thoughts around religion, the working class, and socialist ideals. The show emphasises how their long-distance correspondence led to the development of their ideas.

As the episode progresses, the show explores how Marx and Engels began to focus on the notion of "scientific socialism". They believed that socialism could only be achieved only through the application of scientific analysis and methodology. The episode further highlights their contributions to socialism and communism and how these ideas went on to inspire many movements worldwide.

The episode also features specialist commentators such as Professor Gareth Stedman Jones, who contextualises the complex philosophical ideas Marx and Engels articulated. Jones explains how the two interacted with each other's ideas and developed their political ideals, eventually leading to the emergence of communism. Throughout the second episode, we also see how Marx and Engels' ideas have affected politics, society, and economy at large.

Overall, Marx and Engels: An Intellectual Partnership is an informative and thought-provoking episode in the series that provides an in-depth insight into the thought processes and contributions of both Marx and Engels. The episode helps viewers develop a deeper understanding of how this intellectual partnership played a cardinal role in the formation of communism, and how their ideas have influenced world politics throughout recent history. The show is a must-watch for anyone interested in philosophy, politics and sociology and covers an essential aspect of human history.