The Condition of the Working Class in England

In the final chapter Engels focuses on the upper-middle class and aristocracy, or the property holders. He openly condemns the English bourgeoise as selfish and immoral, hypocritical and short-sighted. He highlights and builds up the separation between the two classes, implying that there can be no reconciliation without a fundamental change.

As an illustration of the property holders’ lack of decency as a class, Engels discusses in detail the Corn Laws of 1815. These regulations on the importation of cheaper corn, or grain, intended to alleviate the poverty of agricultural workers by keeping the price of bread higher than in other parts of the world, leading to higher wages. The bourgeoisie fought to repeal the law so that it could export to international markets. As Engels points out, while in the short term the increased demand for production would drive wages up, in the long term there would be a point of saturation that would lead to an economic crisis, affecting everyone negatively. However, the English manufacturers are obsessed with immediate profit and lack a long-term vision.

Additionally, the way the law works privileges those with money and property. Since the position of Justice of the Peace is held by a member of the bourgeoisie and the local police imitate the behavior of their superiors, if a rich man commits a crime, he is treated respectfully and usually simply fined.