What is a manifesto? Simply explained

by Corinna

Many have heard of the Communist Manifesto. What a manifesto actually is, however, is not known to many parts of society. However, it does not always have to be about ideology or politics.

The manifesto – a clear statement of intentions and goals

  • The term manifesto is derived from the Latin word “manifestus”. This translates as “palpable”, but also means “apparent”, “manifest”, “clear” and “distinct”.
  • A manifesto is a public statement of intentions and goals. Most often, these goals and intentions are political in nature. However, in addition to political declarations, there are also artistic manifestos, philosophical manifestos as well as corporate manifestos. In religion, a manifesto would be something like a creed.
  • A manifesto, can be written by you as an individual, but also by groups, such as organisations or governments.
  • This statement can be short or long. In terms of content, a manifesto is, on the one hand, an “attack” on the hitherto customary view of certain things. On the other hand, a manifesto always provides concrete goals to be achieved.
  • Probably the best-known political statement of intent and goals is the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
  • In February 2022, Sahra Wagenknecht and Alice Schwarzer published a “Manifesto for Peace” in which the two advocate ending the Ukraine war as soon as possible.

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