How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
A spectre is haunting Europe—the spectre of Communism. (Section1.1)
This sentence was an exaggeration—until it was widely published. Then it became a reality. Fake it till you make it, Marx.
Quote #2
It is high time that Communists should openly, in the face of the whole world, publish their views, their aims, their tendencies, and meet this nursery tale of the Spectre of communism with a Manifesto of the party itself. (Beginning.3)
The Communist League commissioning the Manifesto for wide public distribution was a new tactic for the secretive group. Previously, they thought their secrecy kept them safe, even though it meant their opponents got to define them to the public. Now the Communist League wanted the public on their side.
Quote #3
The executive of the modern State is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie. (Section1.12)
Are laws in the interest of the community as a whole, or are they mostly in the interest of the rich few? If the answer is the second option, then what should be done? Marx is saying that the government is passing laws in favor of individual members of the bourgeoisie, but also that the bourgeoisie as a class has certain interests its members share regardless of their competition with one another—namely, oppressing everyone else.