Marxist
eschatology actually mimicked Christian doctrine. In the beginning, there was a
perfect world with no private property, no classes, no exploitation, and no
alienation – the Garden of Eden. Then came sin, the discovery of private
property, and the creation of exploiters. Humanity was cast from the Garden to
suffer inequality and want. Humans then experimented with a series of modes of
production, from the slave, to the feudal, to the capitalist mode, always seeking
the solution and not finding it. Finally there came a true prophet with a
message of salvation, Karl Marx, who preached the truth of Science. He promised
redemption but was not heeded, except by his close disciples who carried the
truth forward. Eventually, however, the proletariat, the carriers of the true
faith, will be converted by the religious elect, the leaders of the party, and
join to create a more perfect world. A final, terrible revolution will wipe out
capitalism, alienation, exploitation, and inequality. After that, history will
end because there will be perfection on earth, and the true believers will have
been saved.
- Daniel Chirot & Clark McCauley apud Steven Pinker, "The Better Angels of Our Nature"
