Liberalism (classic variety) dominated the nineteenth century, but critics
deplored the growing gulf between rich and poor.Workers of all countries, unite!" Marx participated in organizing Europe's first socialist parties. Marx's Capital was a gigantic analysis of why capitalism would be overthrown by the proletariat. Then would come socialism, a just, productive society
without class distinctions. Later, at a certain stage when industrial production
was very high, this socialist society will turn into communism, a perfect society
without police, money, or even government. Goods will be in such plenty that
people will just take what they need. There will be no private property, so there
will be no need for police. Because government is simply an instrument of class
domination, with the abolition of distinct classes there will be no need for the
state. It will "wither away."This has ranged from the mild "welfarism" of
social-democratic parties, to anarcho-syndicalism (unions running everything),
to Lenin's and Stalin's hypercentralized tyranny, to Trotsky's denunciation of
same, to Mao's self-destructive permanent revolution, to Tito's experimental
decentralized system. All, and a few more, claim to espouse "real" socialism.Communism, then, was Marx's predicted utopia
beyond socialism.They have a world to win.