Capitalism

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Harry Braverman's thesis in which he argues that capitalism has transformed 'all of society into a gigantic marketplace', subordinating 'the totality of individual, family and social needs' to the market. Further, the paper explains the implications of Moisio et al's research, "Between Mothers and Markets" regarding homemade food for Braverman's thesis. The paper examines these findings by interviewing and observing members of three generations. For this observation the writer conducted interviews with his grandmother and mother and presents his own opinions as a representative of the younger generation.

From the Paper:

"Braverman's thesis states that, "Capitalism has transformed all of society into a gigantic marketplace" subordinating 'the totality of individual, family and social needs' to the market. However, the early stages of industrial capitalism had not yet fully affected the economic unit of the family. Daily lives of the family, community, and society were still based on the productive process, including the raising of crops and livestock. Family needs were supplied by its members thus, making the 'producer' and 'consumer' virtually identical. It is within the last hundred year's industrial capitalism and the "universal market" has taken over the lives of families. It has created a shift from being the family unit of production to a family unit of consumption. "Industrial capitalism has thrust itself between farm and household, and appropriated all the processing functions of both, thus extending the commodity form to food in its semi-prepared or even fully prepared forms." (Braverman, 1974: 274)"

More papers on Capitalism:

• Term Paper # 144629 : "Scenes From the Ideological War Over Capitalism"
• Term Paper # 129512 : "Capitalism"
• Essay # 87145 : "The Spirit of Capitalism"
• Essay # 71716 : "Imperialism and Capitalism"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: