social lens - chapter on marx

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Contradictions in Capitalism:

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

heorlst!s "i#est

Concepts and heor$: %&man 'at&re and %istor$ Spares-ein# M*+**, "*,+CC

Concepts and heor$: Contradictions 1n Capitalism /al&e and +xp,oita0ran *nd&striali0ation

Mar2ers and Commod,carlorl Class and Class Str&ct&re 4a,prod&ction

Concepts and heor$: he 5ro6lem of Conscio&sness 7lienation 5ri4ate 5ropert$ and Commodit$

er,sh &,se Conscio&sness and 9eli#ion Class Conscio&sness

S&mmar$

a2in# the 5erspecti4e-Conict and Critical heor$

&ildin# ;o&r heor$ ool6ox

dam Smith is often considered the fo&nder <f free mar2et capitalism= the person ho more than

an$ other 6efore him explained that modern #o4ernments sho&ld not interfere ith capitalist

enterprise. Smith explained that capitalism is the res&lt of social e4ol&tion a s&perior economic

s$s- tem that o&ld preser4e the nat&ral ri#hts of h&manit$: ?he o64io&s and simple

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Karl Marx (1818-1883)



heorlst!s "i#est


Concepts and heor$: Contradictions 1n Capitalism /al&e and +xp,oita0ran *nd&striali0ationMar2ers and Commod,carlorl Class and Class Str&ct&re 4a,prod&ction



S&mmar$







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Karl Marx (1818-1883)

heorlst!s "i#est






S&mmar$









3@


Karl Marx (1818-1883)

heorlst!s "i#est






S&mmar$







3@



Chapter 3 < Contradictions in Capitalism: Karl Marx

6eca&se of societ$. hro&#h societ$ e create hat is needed for s&r4i4alA if it ere not for societ$

the h&man animal o&ld 6ecome extinct. Be are not e&ipped to s&r4i4e in an$ other manner.

D'hat this means of co&rse is that e ha4e a social llat&l!eEBe are not indi ! L6$e.

Speciesr6ein# also implies that e are altr&istic. 7ltr&ism is dened as &ncalc&lated commitment toothersF interests. 'ot onl$ are e not indi4id&alistic 6$ nat&re e are not nat&rall$ selsh. lfh&man

s&r- 4i4al is 6ased on collecti4e cooperation then it o&ld stand t< reason that o&r most nat&ral

inclination o&ld 6e to ser4e the #ro&p and not the self. he idea of speciesr 6ein#

ilLM7inelli4es in comm&nism-its the closest economic s$stem to o&r nat&re state. &rther

Mis!$4a!a#!&c that &nder conditions of modernit$G capitalism e donFt see these attri6&tes in

h&mans 6eca&se e exist &nder com- promisin# str&ct&res.HlIc14italismithat teachcsi&s to

lsel*chntered and selfF Sel4in#Al1liJ effect of capitalistic str&ct&res is h$ Mai-x ar#&es

thatsoHcHiet$ ill #o

thro&#h a tran ! # , H / # / ! Moi s theor$ or specres!6eln# also has implications for 2noled#e

and conscio&sness. ln the %o$t,o societ$ that eF4e 6een tal2in# a6o&t h&mansF 2nol- ed#e

a6o&t the orldras o6ecti4: and realA ll1H$ held ideas tnsm#ct harmon$ ithF their NB*L%N

reL7ccordin# to Marx h+n-ian!idOmditho&#ht come a6o&t *n the moment or sol4in# the pro6lem

of s&r4i4al. %&mans s&r4i4e 6eca&se e creati4el$ prod&ce and o&r clearest and most tr&e ideas

are #ro&nded in this creati4e act. *n speciesr6ein# people 6ecome tr&l$ conscio&s of themsel4es

and their ideas. Material prod&ction then is s&pposed to 6e the cond&it thro&#h hich h&man

nat&re is expressed and the prod&ct o&#ht to act as a mirror that reects 6ac2 o&r on nat&re.

Let!s tr$ an analo#$ to #et at this extremel$ important iss&e. here are a limited n&m6er of a$s

$o& can 2no ho $o& ph$sicall$ loo2 (4ideo pict&res portraits mirrors and so forth). he

f&nction of each of these methods is to represent or reprod&ce o&r ima#e ith as little distortion as

possi6le. &t hat if acc&rate representation as impossi6leP Bhat if e4er$ tnedi&m chan#ed

$o&r ima#e in some a$P D/e o&ld ha4e no tr&e idea ho e ph$sicall$ loo2. 7ll of o&r ideas

o&ld 6e false in some a$. Be o&ld thin2 e see o&rsel4es hilt e o&ldlft. Marx is ma2e in#this 2ind of ar#&ment 6&t not a6o&t o&r ph$sical appearanceA hes concerned ith sci-nethin# m&ch

more important and f&ndamental!mo&r nat&re as h&mans.

Be thin2 e see it 6&t e donFt.

Be need to ta2e this analo#$ one step f&rther: 'otice that ith mirrors pict&res.

and 4ideos there is a 2ind of correspondence 6eteen the representation and its realit$. Bhat l

mean is that each ofthese media presents a 4is&al ima#e and in the case ofo&r ph$sical appearance.thatFs hat e ant. *ma#ine if $o& as2ed somer one ho $o& loo2ed and the person pla$ed a



4oice recordin# for $o&. hat o&ld- rlt ma2e an$ sense o&ld itP here o&ld 6e no

correspondence 6eteen the mode of representation and the initial presentation his too is hat

Marx is tellin# &s.

*f e ant to 2no somethin# a6o&t o&r h&man nat&re if e ant to see it reprer sented to &s

here sho&ld e loo2P Bhat 2ind of medi&m o&ld correspond to o&r nat&reP M Q is ar#&in# thate4er$ species is dened 6$ its method of s&r4i4al oi extstence. Bh$ are Bhales lions and

h&mmin#6irds all differentP he$ are different 6eca&se the$ ha4e different a$s of existin# in the

orld. Bhat ma2es h&man

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D'hat this means of co&rse is that e ha4e a social llat&l!eEBe are not indi ! L6$e.Speciesr6ein# also implies that e are altr&istic. 7ltr&ism is dened as &ncalc&lated commitment to

othersF interests. 'ot onl$ are e not indi4id&alistic 6$ nat&re e are not nat&rall$ selsh. lfh&man










a6o&t the orldras o6ecti4: and realA ll1H$ held ideas tnsm#ct harmon$ ithF their NB*L%NreL7ccordin# to Marx h+n-ian!idOmditho&#ht come a6o&t *n the moment or sol4in# the pro6lem









$o&r ima#e in some a$P D/e o&ld ha4e no tr&e idea ho e ph$sicall$ loo2. 7ll of o&r ideaso&ld 6e false in some a$. Be o&ld thin2 e see o&rsel4es hilt e o&ldlft. Marx is ma2e in#



this 2ind of ar#&ment 6&t not a6o&t o&r ph$sical appearanceA hes concerned ith sci-nethin# m&ch





mean is that each ofthese media presents a 4is&al ima#e and in the case ofo&r ph$sical appearance.

thatFs hat e ant. *ma#ine if $o& as2ed somer one ho $o& loo2ed and the person pla$ed a



Marx is tellin# &s.

*f e ant to 2no somethin# a6o&t o&r h&man nat&re if e ant to see it reprer sented to &shere sho&ld e loo2P Bhat 2ind of medi&m o&ld correspond to o&r nat&reP M Q is ar#&in# that

e4er$ species is dened 6$ its method of s&r4i4al oi extstence. Bh$ are Bhales lions and



R3



the h&man animal o&ld 6ecome extinct. Be are not e&ipped to s&r4i4e in an$ other manner.D'hat this means of co&rse is that e ha4e a social llat&l!eEBe are not indi ! L6$e.

Speciesr6ein# also implies that e are altr&istic. 7ltr&ism is dened as &ncalc&lated commitment to










and conscio&sness. ln the %o$t,o societ$ that eF4e 6een tal2in# a6o&t h&mansF 2nol- ed#ea6o&t the orldras o6ecti4: and realA ll1H$ held ideas tnsm#ct harmon$ ithF their NB*L%N













o&ld 6e false in some a$. Be o&ld thin2 e see o&rsel4es hilt e o&ldlft. Marx is ma2e in#










Marx is tellin# &s.


here sho&ld e loo2P Bhat 2ind of medi&m o&ld correspond to o&r nat&reP M Q is ar#&in# that




R3




D'hat this means of co&rse is that e ha4e a social llat&l!eEBe are not indi ! L6$e.

Speciesr6ein# also implies that e are altr&istic. 7ltr&ism is dened as &ncalc&lated commitment to







lsel*chntered and selfF Sel4in#Al1liJ effect of capitalistic str&ct&res is h$ Mai-x ar#&esthatsoHcHiet$ ill #o





a6o&t the orldras o6ecti4: and realA ll1H$ held ideas tnsm#ct harmon$ ithF their NB*L%N











o&ld 6e false in some a$. Be o&ld thin2 e see o&rsel4es hilt e o&ldlft. Marx is ma2e in#










Marx is tellin# &s.


here sho&ld e loo2P Bhat 2ind of medi&m o&ld correspond to o&r nat&reP M Q is ar#&in# that




R3

Chapter 3 o Contradictions *n Capitalism: Karl Marx



tiile ideas are not a6stract concepts ith no 6asis in material realit$. %&man ideas are #ro&nded

Lind real if the$ sprin# from creati4e prod&ction.

he other implication of this a$ of &nderstandin# conscio&sness and 2nol- ed#e concerns false

a$s of 2noin# and existin#. *f ideas come from an$ other so&rce than creati4e prod&ction then

the$ are simpl$ co&nterfeit realities that lead to false conscio&sness and alienation. Be ill tal2 atlen#th a6o&t these iss&es shortl$ 6&t for no * ant &s to see an important reperc&ssion of this

concept: o thin2 li2e Marx means to 6e concerned a6o&t the inner s&6ecti4e orld that

h&man 6ein#s experience.

Marx has often 6een seen as anti-spirit&al. his notion is far from the tr&th

Marx is deepl$ concerned ith liftin# h&man experience o&t ct the &a#mire and placin# o&r feet

on hi#her #ro&nd. Species-6ein# implies that h&mans are altr&ise tic social 6ein#s 6&t o&r

socia6ilit$ has 6een c&t off and each person stands alone and na2ed d&e to cold capitalistic

considerations. Speciesr6ein# also implies that the indi4id&al person is lled ith a creati4ecapacit$ that has 6een disconnected and denied in the search for prot. 9ather than 6ein# a cold

materialist Marx #i4es &s a ?spirit&al existentialism in sec&lar lan#&a#e (romm 1@T1 p. s). o

thin2 li2e Marx then is to 6e critical of h&manit$s inh&manit$ ?MarxFs philosoph$ is one of

protestA it is a protest im6&ed ith faith in man in his capacit$ to li6erate himself and to reali0e his

potentialitiesn (5iomm 1@T1 p. 4i).

he Second idea that dri4es Maer tho&#ht is the material dialectic. h&s to thin2 li2e Marx also

means to thin2 in historical str&ct&ral terms. Bhile Marx is o4erhelmin#l$ concerned Bith the

a&thenticit$ of h&man experience he sees that it is the economic str&ct&re that mo4es histor$ and

in&ences o&r inner person.

Societ$ then is o6ecti4e and ca&sati4e thro&#h the econom$ and class relations.

o thin2 li2e Marx also means to ha4e a historical perspecti4e. ltFs eas$ for &s to 6e ei#hed don

6$ the demands and pro6lems of o&r li4es. 7nd it is th&s eas$ for &s to 6e concerned onl$ ith

small se#ments of time and societ$. ;et Marxian tho&#ht is differentA it is 6i##er. c. Bri#ht Mills

(1@J@) made this distinction clear hen he spo2e of personal tro&6les and p&6lic iss&es. %e called

this point ot4ie the soci- olo#ical ima#ination.

he first fr&it of this ilna#il!llion#and the rst lesson of the social science that em6odies itEis the

idea that the indi4id&al can &nderstand his on experience and #a&#e his on fate onl$ 6$ locatin#himself ithin his period.

that he can 2no his on chances in life onl$ 6$ 6ecomin# aare of those of all indi4id&als in his

circ&mstances. (p. J)

RU

Concepts and heor$: Contradictions in Capitalism



Maix forms m&ch of this theor$ ofcapitalism in diiect contrast to the political economists <f his

da$. or most political economists in Marxs time commodities 4al&e profit pri4ate propert$ and

the di4ision of la6or ere seen as nat&ral effects ofsocial e4ol&tion. %oe4er Marx ta2es a critical

perspecti4e and sees these same processes as instr&ments of oppression that dramaticall$ affect

peoples life chances






the$ are simpl$ co&nterfeit realities that lead to false conscio&sness and alienation. Be ill tal2 at

len#th a6o&t these iss&es shortl$ 6&t for no * ant &s to see an important reperc&ssion of this







considerations. Speciesr6ein# also implies that the indi4id&al person is lled ith a creati4e

capacit$ that has 6een disconnected and denied in the search for prot. 9ather than 6ein# a cold













(1@J@) made this distinction clear hen he spo2e of personal tro&6les and p&6lic iss&es. %e called

this point ot4ie the soci- olo#ical ima#ination.


idea that the indi4id&al can &nderstand his on experience and #a&#e his on fate onl$ 6$ locatin#

himself ithin his period.

that he can 2no his on chances in life onl$ 6$ 6ecomin# aare of those of all indi4id&als in hiscirc&mstances. (p. J)



RU




















considerations. Speciesr6ein# also implies that the indi4id&al person is lled ith a creati4e














(1@J@) made this distinction clear hen he spo2e of personal tro&6les and p&6lic iss&es. %e calledthis point ot4ie the soci- olo#ical ima#ination.






that he can 2no his on chances in life onl$ 6$ 6ecomin# aare of those of all indi4id&als in hiscirc&mstances. (p. J)

RU




the di4ision of la6or ere seen as nat&ral effects ofsocial e4ol&tion. %oe4er Marx ta2es a critical perspecti4e and sees these same processes as instr&ments of oppression that dramaticall$ affect














socia6ilit$ has 6een c&t off and each person stands alone and na2ed d&e to cold capitalisticconsiderations. Speciesr6ein# also implies that the indi4id&al person is lled ith a creati4e
















(1@J@) made this distinction clear hen he spo2e of personal tro&6les and p&6lic iss&es. %e calledthis point ot4ie the soci- olo#ical ima#ination.




that he can 2no his on chances in life onl$ 6$ 6ecomin# aare of those of all indi4id&als in his

circ&mstances. (p. J)

RU







Chapter 3 Contradictions lrl Capitalism. Karl Marx

increase prod&ction and increased prod&ction p&shes for ne or expanded mare 2ets in hich to

sell the prod&ct. hese expandin# mar2ets also tend to p&sh for increased prod&ction and

ind&striali0ation. Li2eise if a ne mar2et opens &p thro&#h political ne#otiations (li2e ith

Mexico or China for the nited States) or the in4ention of a ne prod&ct there ill 6e a

correspondin# p&sh for increased prod&ction and the search for ne machiner$.

7n important point to note here is that capitalism to feed the need for contin= &o&s capital

acc&m&lations re&ires expandin# mar2ets hich implies that mar- 2ets and their effects ma$ 6e

seen as part ofthe dialectic of capitalism. *n capitalism there is ala$s a p&sh to increase protmar#ins. o increase profits capitalists can expand their mar2ets hori0ontall$ and 4erticall$ in

addition to increasin# the le4el of s&rpl&s la6or. *n fact prot mar#ins o&ld slip if capitalists did

not expand their mar2ets. or example one of the main reasons that $o& pro6a6l$ ha4e a C" pla$er

is that the mar2et for cassette tape pla$ers 6ottomed o&t (and no there is a p&sh for M53 and

neer technolo#ies). Most people ho ere #oin# to 6&$ a cassette pla$er had alread$ done so and

the onl$ time another o&ld 6e p&rchased is for replacement. So capitalists in4ented somethin#

ne for $o& to 6&$ so that their prot mar#in o&ld 6e maintained.

*n #eneraV mar2ets refer to an arena in hich commodities are exchan#ed 6eteen 6&$ers and

sellers. or example e tal2 a6o&t the #rocer$ mar2et and the mone$ mar2et. hese mar2ets are

dened 6$ the prod&cts the$ offer and the social netor2 in4ol4ed. Mar2ets in #eneral ha4e certaincharacteristics that ha4e conseW &ences for 6oth commodities and people. he$ are inherentl$



s&scepti6le to expansion (partic&larl$ hen dri4en 6$ the capitalist need for prot) a6straction (so

e can ha4e mar2ets on mar2ets li2e stoc2 mar2et f&t&res or the 6&$in# and sellin# of home

mort#a#e contracts) trade c$cles (d&e to the pre4io&s to iss&es) and &ndesira6le o&tp&ts (s&ch as

poll&tion)A and the$ are amoral (so the$ ma$ 6e &sed to sell eapons reli#ion or to #rant access to

health care).

he speed at hich #oods and ser4ices mo4e thro&#h mar2ets is lar#el$ depenr dent &pon a

#enerali0ed medi&m of exchan#e somethin# that can act as &ni4ersal 4al&e. arter is characteri0ed

6$ the exchan#e of prod&cts for one another he pro6lem ith 6arterin# is that it slos don the

exchan#e process 6eca&se there is no #eneral 4al&e s$stem. or example ho m&ch is a 2e# of

6eer orth in a 6arter s$stemP Be canFt reall$ anser that &estion 6eca&se the anser depends on

hat it is 6ein# exchan#ed for ho is doin# the exchan#in# hat their needs are here the

exchan#e ta2es place and so on. eca&se of the sloness of 6arterin# mar2ets tend to p&sh for

more #enerali0ed means of exchan#eWs&ch as mone$. sin# mone$ e can #i4e an anser to the

2e# &estion and ha4in# s&ch an anser speeds &p the exchan#e process &ite a 6it. Marx ar#&es

that as mar2ets expand and 6ecome lnore important in a societ$ and the &se of mone$ for

e&i4alenc$ 6ecomes more &ni4ersal mone$ 6ecomes more and more the common denomina- torof i0ll h&man relations 7s Marx (1@3X,1@U8) sa$s

$ possessin# the propert$ of 6&$in# e4er$thin# 6$ possessin# the propert$ of appropriatin# all

o6ects motle$ is th&s the 6ect of eminent possession.

he &ni4ersalit$ of its propert$ is the omnipotence of its 6ein#. *t therefore f&nctions as the

almi#ht$ 6ein#. Mone$ is the pimp 6eteen mans need and

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health care).
















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health care).
















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h&s the existin# capitalists acc&m&late additional capital and the entire c$cle starts a#ain. ?&t

not onl$ has the 6o&r#eoisie for#ed the eapons that 6rin# death to itselfA it has also called into

existence the men ho are to ield those eaponsE the modern or2in# classEthe proletariatY

(Marx 8t +n#els 18R8,1@U8 p. RU8).

he 6ipolari0ation ofconict is a necessar$ step for Marx in the process of social chan#e and an

important one for conict theor$ as a hole. 4ert and intense conict are 6oth dependent &pon

6ipolari0ationA crossc&ttin# interests that is ha4in# more than one iss&e o4er hich #ro&ps are in

conict tend to p&ll reso&rces (enro- tional aha material) aa$ from conflict. or example d&rin#Borld Bar ** it as necessar$ for the 4ario&s rrations to coalesce into onl$ to factions the 7xis

and the 7llied poers. So the nited States 6ecame stran#e 6edfellos ith the So4iet nion in

order to create lar#e-scale intense conict. 'ote that each time the nited States has en#a#ed in a

police action or ar attempts are made to ali#n reso&rces in as fe camps as possi6le. his mo4e

isn!t simpl$ a matter of orld opinionA it is a str&ct&ral necessit$ for 4iolent and o4ert conict. he

lac2 of 6ipolari0ed conict creates an arena of crossc&ttin# interests that can drain reso&rces and

pre4ent the conict from escalatin# and potentiall$ resol4in#.

4erprod&ction

Bere no in a position to 6rin# all these factors to#ether. *!4e dia#ramed these relationships ini#&re 3.3. 'ote that the pl&s (Z) si#ns indicate a positi4e relationship (6oth 4aria6les mo4e in the



same direction either more or less) and the min&s (a) si#ns indicate ne#ati4e relationships (the

4aria6les #o in opposite directions). Startin# at the far left the denin# feat&re of modern

capitalism (incessant acc&m&lation of capital) is the primar$ d$namic. 7s capitalists in4est

mar2ets ind&striali0ation and emplo$ment all #o &p. 'otice that all the arros are do&6le-headed

hich means these all m&t&all$ in&ence one another. *nd&striali0ation mar2ets and emplo$ment

all prod&ce prot that is then rein4ested in those same three factors. 7lso notice the possi6le limitof mar2ets is lin2ed to o&r a6ilit$ to create o&r on needs. Mar2ets and h&man need feed off each

other. *tFs also important to note that mar2ets donFt simpl$ expandA the$ can 6ecome more a6stract.

S&ch mar2ets are the ones associated ith the spec&lation that has 6een endemic in the orld stoc2

mar2ets.

he effects of these rst fo&r factors contin&e to feed one another creatin# e4er increasin# le4els of

commodit$ prod&ction &ntil a threshold is rcachedE o4erprod&ctioniand there!s too m&ch

prod&ction for the c&rrent demand.

Since capital acc&m&lation is a str&ct&ral part of capitalism capitalists ill contin&e to create ne

and prod&ce existin# commodities &ntil the mar2et ill no lon#er 6ear it. Bhen this happens prod&ction is c&t 6ac2 or2ers are laid off and the econom$ sl&mps. Small 6&sinesses collapse

and capital is concentrated in feer handsA capital ls th&s acc&m&lated and the fail&res of small

6&sinesses p&sh toard the 6ipolari0ation of classes. Bith the reneed acc&m&lation of capital

capit! ists rein4est and the mar2et pic2s 6ac2 &pA and the c$cle starts a#ain. %oe4er each

economic c$cle is lar#er and deeper than the pre4io&s and the or2in# class 6ecomes lar#er and

lar#er. *n the end Marx ar#&es this process of acc&m&lation and o4erprod&ction ill lead to the

collapse of capitalism 6eca&se

JJ







important one for conict theor$ as a hole. 4ert and intense conict are 6oth dependent &pon 6ipolari0ationA crossc&ttin# interests that is ha4in# more than one iss&e o4er hich #ro&ps are in

conict tend to p&ll reso&rces (enro- tional aha material) aa$ from conflict. or example d&rin#

Borld Bar ** it as necessar$ for the 4ario&s rrations to coalesce into onl$ to factions the 7xis







4erprod&ction



Bere no in a position to 6rin# all these factors to#ether. *!4e dia#ramed these relationships in

i#&re 3.3. 'ote that the pl&s (Z) si#ns indicate a positi4e relationship (6oth 4aria6les mo4e in the




mar2ets ind&striali0ation and emplo$ment all #o &p. 'otice that all the arros are do&6le-headedhich means these all m&t&all$ in&ence one another. *nd&striali0ation mar2ets and emplo$ment

all prod&ce prot that is then rein4ested in those same three factors. 7lso notice the possi6le limit

of mar2ets is lin2ed to o&r a6ilit$ to create o&r on needs. Mar2ets and h&man need feed off each



mar2ets.





and prod&ce existin# commodities &ntil the mar2et ill no lon#er 6ear it. Bhen this happens

prod&ction is c&t 6ac2 or2ers are laid off and the econom$ sl&mps. Small 6&sinesses collapse







JJ



















4erprod&ction

Bere no in a position to 6rin# all these factors to#ether. *!4e dia#ramed these relationships in

i#&re 3.3. 'ote that the pl&s (Z) si#ns indicate a positi4e relationship (6oth 4aria6les mo4e in the


4aria6les #o in opposite directions). Startin# at the far left the denin# feat&re of moderncapitalism (incessant acc&m&lation of capital) is the primar$ d$namic. 7s capitalists in4est







mar2ets.


commodit$ prod&ction &ntil a threshold is rcachedE o4erprod&ctioniand there!s too m&ch prod&ction for the c&rrent demand.










JJ




existence the men ho are to ield those eaponsE the modern or2in# classEthe proletariatY(Marx 8t +n#els 18R8,1@U8 p. RU8).














4erprod&ction

Bere no in a position to 6rin# all these factors to#ether. *!4e dia#ramed these relationships ini#&re 3.3. 'ote that the pl&s (Z) si#ns indicate a positi4e relationship (6oth 4aria6les mo4e in the










mar2ets.













JJ

Chapter3 < Contradictionsm Capitalism Karl Marx J@

h&man orld indi4id&all$A it is created collecti4el$. herefore &nder conditions of species-6ein#

h&mans are intimatel$ aria immediatel$ connected to one another.

he reflected orld aro&nd them is the social h&man orld that the$ created *ma#ine if $o& can

a orld of prod&cts that are all directl$ connected to h&man 6ein#s (not mar2et forces ad4ertisin#

the dri4e for profit and so forth). +ither $o& made e4er$thin# in that orld or $o& 2no ho did.

Bhen $o& see a prod&ct $o& see $o&rself or $o& see $o&r nei#h6or or $o&r nei#h6ors friend. h&s

hen e are alienated from o&r on speciese6ein# 6eca&se someone else controls the means and

ends of prod&ction e are estran#ed from other h&mans as ell

inall$ of co&rse e are alienated from the process ofor2 and from the prod- &ct itself. here issomethin# essential in the or2 process accordin# to Marx. he 2ind of or2 e perform and ho



e perform that or2 determines the 2ind of person e are. 64io&sl$ doctors are different from

#ar6a#e collectors 6&t that isn!t hat Marx has in mind. 7n indi4id&alFs h&manit$ is rooted in the

or2 process. Bhen h&mans are c&t off from controllin# the means of prod&ction (the a$ in

hich or2 is performed and for hat reason) then the la6or process itself 6ecomes alienated.

here are three reasons for this alienated la6or hich end in the alienation of the prod&ct. irst

hen someone else ons the means of proF d&ction the or2 is external to the or2er that is it isnot a direct expression of his or her nat&re. So rather than 6ein# an extension of the persons inner

6ein# or2 6ecomes somethin# external and forei#n. Second or2 is forced. 5eople donFt or2

6eca&se the$ ant toA the$ or2 6eca&se the$ ha4e toW&nder capitalism if $o& donFt or2 $o&

die. Concernin# la6or &nder capitalism Marx (1@3X,1@@J) sa$s ?*ts alien character is clearl$ shon

6$ the fact that as soon as there is no ph$sical or other comp&lsion it is a4oided li2e the pla#&e

(pp. @33@).

7nd third hen e do perform the or2 the thin# that e prod&ce is not o&r on: it 6elon#s to

another person.

&rther alienation accordin# to Marx is the ori#in of pri4ate propert$Eit exists solel$ 6eca&see are C&t off from o&r speciesr6ein#A someone else ons the means and ends of prod&ction

nderl$in# mar2ets and commodificationEand capitalism itselfWis the instit&tion of pri4ate

propert$. Marx felt that the political economists of his da$ ass&med the fact of pri4ate propert$

itho&t offerin# an$ explanation for it. hese economists 6elie4ed that pri4ate propert$ as simpl$

a nat&ral part of the economic process. &t for Marx the so&rce of pri4ate propert$ as the cr&x of

the pro6lem ased on speciese6ein# Marx ar#&es that pri4ate propert$ emer#ed o&t of the

alienation of la6or.

Marx also ar#&es that there is a reciprocal in&ence of pri4ate propert$ on the experience of

alienation. 7s e ha4e seen Marx claims that pri4ate propert$ is the res&lt of alienated la6or. nce

pri4ate propert$ exists it can then exert its on infl&ence on the or2er and it 6ecomes ?the

reali0ation of this alienation (Marx 1@3X,1@@J p. 1<T). Bor2ers [hen 6ecome controlled 6$

pri4ate propert$. his notion is most clearl$ seen in hat Marx descri6es as commodit$ fetish:

Bor2ers 6ecome infat&ated ith their on prod&ct as if it ere an alien thin#. lt confronts them not

as the or2 of their hands 6&t as a commodit$ somethin# alien to them that the$ m&st 6&$ and

appropriate.










inall$ of co&rse e are alienated from the process ofor2 and from the prod- &ct itself. here is

somethin# essential in the or2 process accordin# to Marx. he 2ind of or2 e perform and ho

e perform that or2 determines the 2ind of person e are. 64io&sl$ doctors are different from#ar6a#e collectors 6&t that isn!t hat Marx has in mind. 7n indi4id&alFs h&manit$ is rooted in the






hen someone else ons the means of proF d&ction the or2 is external to the or2er that is it is

not a direct expression of his or her nat&re. So rather than 6ein# an extension of the persons inner

6ein# or2 6ecomes somethin# external and forei#n. Second or2 is forced. 5eople donFt or2 6eca&se the$ ant toA the$ or2 6eca&se the$ ha4e toW&nder capitalism if $o& donFt or2 $o&



(pp. @33@).


another person.

&rther alienation accordin# to Marx is the ori#in of pri4ate propert$Eit exists solel$ 6eca&se

e are C&t off from o&r speciesr6ein#A someone else ons the means and ends of prod&ction

nderl$in# mar2ets and commodificationEand capitalism itselfWis the instit&tion of pri4ate propert$. Marx felt that the political economists of his da$ ass&med the fact of pri4ate propert$












appropriate.




he reflected orld aro&nd them is the social h&man orld that the$ created *ma#ine if $o& cana orld of prod&cts that are all directl$ connected to h&man 6ein#s (not mar2et forces ad4ertisin#









or2 process. Bhen h&mans are c&t off from controllin# the means of prod&ction (the a$ inhich or2 is performed and for hat reason) then the la6or process itself 6ecomes alienated.




hen someone else ons the means of proF d&ction the or2 is external to the or2er that is it is




die. Concernin# la6or &nder capitalism Marx (1@3X,1@@J) sa$s ?*ts alien character is clearl$ shon 6$ the fact that as soon as there is no ph$sical or other comp&lsion it is a4oided li2e the pla#&e

(pp. @33@).


another person.





itho&t offerin# an$ explanation for it. hese economists 6elie4ed that pri4ate propert$ as simpl$a nat&ral part of the economic process. &t for Marx the so&rce of pri4ate propert$ as the cr&x of










appropriate.






the dri4e for profit and so forth). +ither $o& made e4er$thin# in that orld or $o& 2no ho did.Bhen $o& see a prod&ct $o& see $o&rself or $o& see $o&r nei#h6or or $o&r nei#h6ors friend. h&s









here are three reasons for this alienated la6or hich end in the alienation of the prod&ct. irsthen someone else ons the means of proF d&ction the or2 is external to the or2er that is it is








(pp. @33@).


another person.







the pro6lem ased on speciese6ein# Marx ar#&es that pri4ate propert$ emer#ed o&t of thealienation of la6or.








appropriate.

Chapter 3 o Contradictions in Capitalism Karl Marx

*n 2eepin# ith that notion a school of contemporar$ Marxism %&manistic Marxism most

nota6l$ the area of Li6eration heolo#$ sees reli#ion as an a#ent of social chan#e. Li6eration

theolo#ians ar#&e that there are to poles of Christian expression. he one pole is the classic

ideolo#ical 4ersion here reli- #ion ser4es to maintain the esta6lishment. he other pole

emphasi0es compas- sion tor the h&man condition and leadership in social chan#e. he rst #i4es

importance to the ?mee2 and mild \es&s ho ta&#ht that the proper response to oppression as to

t&rn the other chee2. he second stresses the Christ in the temE ple ho in ra#e o4ert&rned the

ta6les or the mone$chan#ers and dro4e them o&t ith a hip. So there are some Marxists thatar#&e that reli#ion can f&nction as an a#ent of social chan#e 6&t that 2ind of reli#ion is 4er$

specic and is not enco&ntered 4er$ often.

Marx also sees ideolo#$ and alienation as str&ct&rall$ facilitated 6$ the di4ision ofla6or (ho the

d&ties are assi#ned in an$ societ$). Marx tal2s a6o&t se4eral different 2inds of d! ons of la6or. he

most primiti4e form of separation of or2 is the?nat&rdl di4ision of la6or.Y he nat&ral di4ision

as 6ased &pon the indi4id&als nat&ral a6ilities and desires. 5eople did not Bor2 at somethin# for

hich the$ ere ill s&ited nor did the$ ha4e to or2 as indi4id&als in order to s&r4i4e. Bithin the

nat&ral di4ision of la6or s&r4i4al is a #ro&p matter not an indi4id&al concern.

Marx claims that the onl$ time this e4er existed as in preclass societies. Bhen indi4id&als ithina societ$ 6e#an to acc&m&late #oods and exercise poer the ?forced di4ision of la6or? replaced the



nat&ral di4ision. Bith the forced di4ision indi4id&al people m&st or2 in order to s&r4i4e (sell their

la6or) and the$ are forced to D4or2 at o6s the$ neither eno$ nor ha4e the nat&ral #ifts to perform.

he forced di4ision of la6or and the comrnodication of la6or characteri0e capitalism.

his primar$ di4ision of la6or historicall$ 6ecomes extended hen mental la6or (s&ch as that

performed 6$ professors priests philosophers) is di4ided from material la6or (or2ers). Bhenthis happens reication ideolo#$ and alienation reach ne hei#hts 7s e!4e seen Marx ar#&es

that people ha4e tr&e conscio&sness onl$ &nder conditions of species-6ein#. 7n$time people are

remo4ed from controllin# the prod&ct or the prod&ction process there ill 6e some le4el of false

conscio&s- ness and ideolo#$. +4en so or2ers ho act&all$ prod&ce a material #ood are in some

a$ connected to the prod&ction process. %oe4er ith the separation of mental from material

la6or e4en this ten&o&s relationship to speciesr6ein# is c&t off. h&s the tho&#ht of those in4ol4ed

ith mental la6or is radicall$ c&t off from hat ma2es &s h&man (species-6ein#). 7s a res&lt

e4er$thin# prod&ced 6$ professors priests philosophers and so on has some reified ideolo#ical

component and is #enerall$ controlled 6$ the elite.

Class Conscio&sness

So far e ha4e seen that capitalism increases the le4els of ind&striali0ation exploitation mar2et-

dri4en forces s&ch as commodification false conscio&sness ideolo#$ and reiflcation and it tends

to 6if&rcate the class str&ct&re. n the other hand Marx also ar#&es that these factors ha4e

dialectical effects and ill th&s p&sh

T3









ta6les or the mone$chan#ers and dro4e them o&t ith a hip. So there are some Marxists that

ar#&e that reli#ion can f&nction as an a#ent of social chan#e 6&t that 2ind of reli#ion is 4er$








Marx claims that the onl$ time this e4er existed as in preclass societies. Bhen indi4id&als ithin

a societ$ 6e#an to acc&m&late #oods and exercise poer the ?forced di4ision of la6or? replaced thenat&ral di4ision. Bith the forced di4ision indi4id&al people m&st or2 in order to s&r4i4e (sell their






performed 6$ professors priests philosophers) is di4ided from material la6or (or2ers). Bhen

this happens reication ideolo#$ and alienation reach ne hei#hts 7s e!4e seen Marx ar#&esthat people ha4e tr&e conscio&sness onl$ &nder conditions of species-6ein#. 7n$time people are








Class Conscio&sness





T3



















a societ$ 6e#an to acc&m&late #oods and exercise poer the ?forced di4ision of la6or? replaced the
















Class Conscio&sness





T3



















a societ$ 6e#an to acc&m&late #oods and exercise poer the ?forced di4ision of la6or? replaced the
















Class Conscio&sness





T3

Chapter 3 < Contradictions *n Capitalism Karl Marx

la6or mar2et ma2es a4aila6le an extremel$ lar#e pool of &nemplo$ed or2ers. So or2ers in an

ad4anced ind&striali0ed econom$ see themsel4es in competition ith m&ch cheaper la6or. his

#lo6al competition also hinders class conscio&sness 6$ shifts in# the Dr4or2er!s foc&s of attention

aBa$ from the oners and onto the forei#n la6or mar2et. ln other ords a #lo6ali0ed di4ision of

la6or pits or2er a#ainst or2er in competition for scarce io6s. his competition is partic&larl$

threatenin# for or2ers in ad4anced capitalist co&ntries li2e the nited States 6eca&se the forei#n

or2ers a#e is so m&ch loer. hese threatened or2ers then ill 6e inclined to see their ecoe

noinic pro6lems in terms of #lo6al political iss&es rather than class iss&es.

&rther the or2ers di4ide themsel4es o4er iss&es other than class. Be tend to see o&rsel4es not

thro&#h classe6ased identities hich Marx o&ld ar#&e is the identit$ that determines o&r life

chancesA instead e see o&rsel4es thro&#h racial ethnic #ender and sex&al preference identities.

Marxists o&ld ar#&e that the c&le t&re of di4ersit$ and 4ictimhood is part of the ideolo#$ that

6linds o&r e$es to tr&e social ine&alit$ th&s pre4entin# class conscio&sness.

TU

S&mmar$



< Marx!s perspecti4e is created thro&#h to central ideas: speciese6ein# and the material dialectic.

SpeciesW6ein# refers to the &ni&e a$ in hich h&mans s&r4i4e as a speciesie creati4el$

prod&ce all that e need. he material dialectic is the primal) mechanism thro&#h hich histor$

pro#resses. here are internal contradictions ithin e4er$ economic s$stem that p&sh societ$ to

form ne economic s$stems. he dialectic contin&es &ntil comm&nism is reached a s$stem that is

in harmon$ ith species-6ein#.

- +4er$ economic s$stem is characteri0ed 6$ the means and relations of prod&ction. he means of

prod&ction in capitalism is oned 6$ the 6o&r#eoisie and #enerall$ consists of eommoditrcation

ind&strial prod&ction pri4ate propert$ mar2ets and mone$. ne of the &ni&e feat&res of

capitalism is that it ill sallo &p all other classes sa4e to: the 6o&r#eoisie and proletariat. his

6if&rcation of class str&ct&re D4ill in t&rn set the sta#e for class conscio&sness and economic

re4ol&tion.

- Capitalism affects e4er$ area of h&man existence. hro&#h it indi4id&als are alienated from each

aspect of speciess6ein# and creati4e prod&ction. lie or2 process the prod&ct other people and

e4en their on inner 6ein# confront the or2er as alien o6ects. 7s a res&lt h&man2indmisreco#ni0es the tr&th and falls 4ictim to commodit$ fetish ideolo#$ and false conscio&sness.

%oe4er 6eca&se capitalism contains dialectical elements it ill also prod&ce the necessar$

in#redient for economic re4ol&tion: class conscio&sness. Class conscio&sness is the

res&lt of or2ers 6ecomin# aare that their fate in life is determined primaril$ 6$ class position.

his aareness comes as alienation and exploitation reach hi#h le4els and as or2ers comm&nicate

ith one another thro&#h increasin# le4els of ed&cation or2er concentration in the factor$ and

cit$ and comm&nication and transportation technolo#ies.










&rther the or2ers di4ide themsel4es o4er iss&es other than class. Be tend to see o&rsel4es notthro&#h classe6ased identities hich Marx o&ld ar#&e is the identit$ that determines o&r life




TU

S&mmar$














re4ol&tion.























TU

S&mmar$














re4ol&tion.










social lens - chapter on marx

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