Liberalism: Great or Horrible

Paper Summary:

The paper states that liberalism is a subject on which people have varying views and one which some philosophers and interest groups support. The paper then continues and discusses how other thinkers and individuals find liberalism to be lacking. This is either because liberalism, in their opinion, is flawed or they simply find that liberalism does not meet their personal needs. The paper specifically discusses Karl Marx's critique on liberalism, explaining that it is based on his understanding of the position of the economically deprived. Moreover, the paper compares Marx's views on liberalism with those of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, as well as the views on liberalism that might be held by a religious person. The paper concludes that liberalism seems to be a good system of government for the present time, and while liberalism may not always be the best system of government, it seems be the best option for present day society.

From the Paper:

" Marx believes that these fears move the wheels of society. This view varies from Hobbes, who believes that humans' fear and vulnerability is what makes all of us equal. Marx also firmly believes that in the modes of production there are many inequalities. Marx attests that inequalities are due to fact that the individual is kept un-free in capitalistic, money-driven societies. "This realm of natural necessity expands with his development, because his needs do too; but the productive forces to satisfy these expand at the same time". In this type of system Marx believes there is no need for humans to possess any kind of individuality, and that all creative forces are quashed. Marx again traces this back to the idea that capitalism has no need for the masses to possess any kind of individuality. Instead, he asserts that capitalism not only causes, but also encourages, the masses to be constantly producing. Marx gives an example of the concept of mass production; the example he offers is the assembly line. Marx also believes that the Capitalist's main goal is to take as much surplus value from labor as they possible can. Marx basically does not find liberalism to be a good system because he does not agree with the capitalistic system and he does not think that work defines human beings. He asserts that what one does to economically support him- or herself and family should not define the individual as a person, but the mere fact of being an individual human being should be what defines each member of society separately and uniquely. This is because Marx believes that individuals are not free and do not choose their jobs. This means that individuals are defined by not-choosing. Also, jobs are just a means to an economic end, and human creativity should instead be the end. In a capitalist government, the state enslaves the individual to his or her job and controls the person through it."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Losco, J. & Williams, L. (1999). Political thought. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Rosen, M. & Wolff, J. (2003). Political theory classic and contemporary readings: Volume II Machiavelli to Rawls. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company.

More papers on Liberalism: Great or Horrible:

• Book Review # 97344 : "The Great-or-Not-so-Great Gatsby"
• Analytical Essay # 88747 : "The Core of Liberalism: An Analysis of Liberty"
• Essay # 17132 : "Neo-Liberalism"

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