The Ambivalence of Marx and Engels's Anti-Colonial Positions

The essential scare quotes that they put around European civilization raises some questions about just how civilized the European bourgeoisie are. A lot has been made by some commentators about the moments of the manifesto that seem to condone European conquest. But others have documented how much Marx's own positions on questions of colonialism changed and shifted as it escalated alongside the resistance of colonial subjects. I would find it hard to really sign off on the idea that they justify, you know, now that's a loaded term. It's predicated on sort of ethical philosophy.