A Memo to Charles and Fred (from ChatGPT)

 

The slogan "Workers of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!" from the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels represents a powerful call for collective action among the working class. However, evolutionary psychology, anthropology, and theories of reciprocal altruism reveal challenges to this rallying cry.

Individuals will prioritise immediate personal risks over uncertain collective gains; this can make them hesitant to join revolutionary movements. The costs of revolution — violence and social upheaval — can easily outweigh perceived benefits (and in Marxism those are particularly ill-defined). Additionally, successful collective action depends on trust and a history of reciprocity, often lacking in a diverse and stratified working class both nationally and internationally. Without established relationships and mutual trust, the call for unity falls on skeptical ears.

Humans are evolutionarily predisposed to live in hierarchical structures: stability is naturally preferred over drastic change. This leads to resistance against revolutionary calls, as individuals find greater benefit in the status quo. Additionally, the human tendency to favour in-group members complicates global solidarity; cultural, national, and ethnic identities prevent workers worldwide from identifying as a cohesive group. Indeed, one may doubt there is a compelling, material basis for so doing.

In summary, while the slogan served as a powerful impetus for change, the realities of human nature, fractured social structures, and cultural diversity suggest that achieving widespread solidarity and revolutionary transformation is far more complex than the slogan implies. A contemporary analysis of the Marxist tradition must conclude that the sentiment, although undoubtedly thrilling, is now obsolete.