Response one HUM-07 Note: Comments at the end (ONE PAGE ADD ✓ Solved

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As I read Marx’s ideology, it came down to one statement to offer a clear overview of society, class, and power, “In one word, it creates a world after its own image” (Marx and Engels). Man wants a society in his own image, which consists of self-interest and economic gains. Marx appears to have his own self-interest in mind, not society’s. As Marx points out, there must be a classless society to function properly.

Marx’s theories regarding classless societies or a form of communism are never truly classless. There is always a class tier within a society. You will always have a lawmaker and workers. Karl Marx and Engels note, “Communism deprives no man of the power to appropriate the products of society; all that it does is to deprive him of the power to subjugate the labor of others by means of such appropriation” (Marx and Engels). In a classless society, everyone is doing the same job, no one is better, including the government which controls the people.

The government or upper class has different choices while the lower class is given limited resources on the same level. Therefore, someone will always be in power, while others are not. Additionally, Karl Marx critiques economics and the financial gains of society, implying that capitalism is an exploitative system where power rests among wage-laborers. There is no need for capitalism, but no society is going to cut off the hand that feeds them. Wage-labor keeps the economy running, and to do so, competition is necessary. “The essential condition for the existence, and for the sway of the bourgeois class, is the formation and augmentation of capital; the condition for capital is wage-labor.”

Capitalism creates exploiters and the exploited due to wage-labor. In other words, Karl Marx sees capitalism as a struggle between the exploiters and the exploited. He states, “In proportion as the bourgeoisie, i.e., capital, is developed, in the same proportion is the proletariat, the modern working class, developed—a class of laborers who live only so long as they find work, and who find work only so long as their labor increases capital” (Marx and Engels). When speaking of exploitation, it evokes the Industrial Revolution where factory workers toiled excessively in poor conditions.

Marx’s ideologies remain significant as he aimed to change societal and capitalistic views, offering solutions that could be applied. For instance, Lenin tried to implement such changes with the Bolsheviks. However, a classless society never materialized because power dynamics still existed, with leaders holding power over the common worker, contradicting Marx’s aspirations for equality.

In the broader context of Marx's ideology, it's essential to reflect on which of his theories still hold relevance in the 21st century. While critics argue that Marx’s ideas might be obsolete due to the rise of modified capitalism and the emergence of social democracies, his critique of economic disparities continues to resonate. Economic inequality persists, and the struggle between labor and capital remains a critical aspect of socio-political discourse today.

Paper For Above Instructions

The responses to Marxism elicit a variety of interpretations and emotions, indicative of its complex nature. As we delve into Marx's ideas, we uncover his incensed critique of capitalism and the implications of class struggle uniquely framed by historical context. The dichotomy between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat showcases the underlying tensions that continue to evolve in modern society.

Marx and Engels, in their Communist Manifesto, articulate the conflict as central to human history's development. The notion that contemporary capitalist society stems from the residual struggles of former class systems emphasizes the continuity of conflict. Marx's insights on the bourgeois class elucidate the exploitation inherent in the capitalist framework and their relentless drive for profit regardless of the human cost involved.

In observing modern capitalistic societies, we witness the very traits Marx designated as dangerous — an expanding market driven by profit that seeks to strip exploited workers of their rights, evident in the contemporary gig economy. The precarious nature of employment in certain sectors exposes the dark underbelly of a system that prioritizes profit over social welfare. Moreover, Marx's assertion that labor is commodified reflects present-day realities, where individuals often feel treated as cogs in a vast economic machine.

The prediction of capitalism being susceptible to its inherent contradictions aligns with current discussions surrounding wealth concentration. The increased divide between the wealthy elite and the working class fuels social unrest and debate over the ethical ramifications of unregulated markets. The rise of movements advocating for wealth redistribution and economic reform symbolizes Marxian concepts manifesting in the 21st century as a response to growing discontent.

In his critiques of capitalism, Marx introduces notions of alienation whereby workers become estranged from the products they create. This alienation is seen in the modern workplace where individuals often lack ownership over their labor, reinforcing the need for collective empowerment through unions and worker movements — principles articulated in Marx's critiques. Labor unions emerge as vital actors in negotiating better conditions for workers, a practical application of Marx’s theories tailored to modern standards.

Furthermore, the ethical implications of capitalism continue to be debated, as Marx initiated. Ethics surrounding production methods, environmental sustainability, and labor practices reflect the dichotomy between profit maximization and moral obligations. Marx's challenges to capitalism invite further discourse on corporate responsibility and the ethical frameworks guiding today's economic systems.

In conclusion, while Marx's proposals for an egalitarian society may not have translated into practice without deviation, his ideas remain relevant today. The continuing evidence of class struggle, economic disparities, and the phenomena of worker alienation echoes through the fabric of modern life. As society navigates these challenges, we must also consider Marx's legacy as both a critique and a catalyst for social change.

References

• Marx, K., & Engels, F. (2005). The Communist Manifesto. The Project Gutenberg.
• Smith, A. (1776). The Wealth of Nations. London: Methuen & Co., Ltd.
• Harvey, D. (2010). A Companion to Marx's Capital. Verso.
• Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Harvard University Press.
• Wolff, R. D. (2012). Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism. Haymarket Books.
• Braverman, H. (1974). Labor and Monopoly Capital: The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century. Monthly Review Press.
• Resnick, S. A., & Wolff, R. D. (2006). Class Theory and History: An Economic Strategy for the Working Class. Verso.
• Althusser, L. (1971). Lenin and Philosophy and Other Essays. Monthly Review Press.
• Reich, R. B. (2015). Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few. Knopf.
• Freeman, J. (2016). The Agenda for Hostile Takeovers: Democracy, Capitalism, and the Politics of Disruption. Routledge.

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