Meaning: The quote "The state is not abolished, it withers away" is a famous line from Friedrich Engels, the philosopher and political theorist who is best known for his collaboration with Karl Marx. This quote is often interpreted in the context of Marxist theory, specifically in relation to the concept of the state and its role in a socialist or communist society.

Engels' statement reflects the Marxist belief that the state, as an instrument of class rule, will become unnecessary and gradually fade into obsolescence in a truly communist society. To understand this quote more fully, it is important to delve into the broader concepts of Marxism and the role of the state in the Marxist vision of a future society.

Marxist theory views the state as an entity that serves the interests of the ruling class, primarily by maintaining the existing social and economic order. According to Marx and Engels, the state is a tool of oppression used by the ruling class to enforce its dominance over the working class. In capitalist societies, the state functions to protect private property, uphold the interests of the bourgeoisie, and perpetuate the conditions of exploitation and alienation experienced by the proletariat.

In the Marxist analysis, the state is an apparatus of coercion and control that is inherently tied to the existence of class antagonisms. As such, the ultimate goal of the communist movement is to abolish the class-based society that necessitates the existence of the state. Engels' assertion that the state withers away reflects the idea that, as class distinctions and social hierarchies are eradicated in a communist society, the need for a separate, repressive state apparatus diminishes.

It is important to note that Engels' statement does not suggest an immediate or sudden abolition of the state. Rather, it implies a gradual and organic process through which the state loses its significance and authority as social and economic relations are transformed. This process of withering away is linked to the notion of a transitional period between capitalism and communism, during which the state is expected to undergo a process of "dying out" as the conditions for its existence are eroded.

The concept of the state withering away in a communist society has been a subject of debate and interpretation within Marxist theory. Critics argue that the idea of a stateless society is utopian and impractical, and that the absence of a governing body would lead to chaos and disorder. Proponents, on the other hand, argue that the state's gradual dissolution is a natural outcome of the elimination of class antagonisms and the establishment of a truly egalitarian and democratic social order.

In conclusion, Friedrich Engels' quote "The state is not abolished, it withers away" encapsulates the Marxist perspective on the role of the state in a future communist society. It reflects the belief that the state, as a product of class society, will lose its relevance and authority as the conditions for its existence are transformed through the establishment of a classless, stateless society. Engels' statement is an essential component of Marxist theory, shaping discussions about the nature of governance, power, and social transformation.