By Yahya Thabit:

In his Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, Karl Marx cleverly describes his theory of history and revolution by analyzing the series of revolutionary events in France between the years of 1848-1851. Through his discussion of the events in mid-nineteenth century France, Marx illustrates the interrelations and effects that institutions, groups, and structures have on one another. Using his methodological approach of historical materialism, Marx illustrates the causes and developments of the revolution by analyzing the existing French society of the mid nineteenth century in terms of social classes, ideologies, and political structures.  Using a materialist conception of history, he categorizes the revolution into three subsequent periods; (1) the February period of 1848 until May 1848, (2) the period of the Constituent National Assembly from May 4, 1848 to May 29, 1849, (3) and the Legislative National Assembly from May 28 1849 until December 2nd 1851. These periods help best illustrate the progressions and changes in terms of power relations between the different groups. In what follows, I will first use the sequenced categorization of these periods in order to summarize Marx’s arguments, and then I will illustrate the contemporary relevance of Marx’s theory.