Abstract KarlMarx defined alienation as the process of the working man becoming only a cog in the machinery of production. This paper examines claims that this concept of alienation was actually put forth by FriedrichEngels first and only later expounded upon by Marx. It traces the progression from papers by Engels to the "Communist Manifesto" and shows that while Marx is believed to be the main author, actually Engels supplied much more of the economic theory.
From the Paper "In the year 1848, Western society was 'enlightened' through the introduction of a new ideology put forward by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, proponents of the political treatise "Communist Manifesto." In it, the authors proposed and expounded on the issue of socialism as the new revolutionary movement that served as the antithesis of the principles of capitalism and eventually, modernism. The socialism-capitalism dichotomy was discussed based on the antagonistic relationships that emerged out of the unequal opportunities given to people at each point or stage of the socio-economic history of humanity. Thus, Marx and Engels posit that throughout history and until capitalism, human society has been in the "history of class struggles," wherein there existed inequalities among "[f]reeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman...oppressor and oppressed, stood in constant opposition to one another, carried on an uninterrupted now hidden, now open fight...""
Abstract This paper questions whether Marx and Engel's theories of economic and social equality would be as readily accepted today as they were in the authors' day. The writer analyzes Marx and Engel's theories, with particular emphasis on "The Communist Manifesto." This is compared and contrasted to Robert Putnam's social capital perspective. The author feels that if Marx and Engels had read Putnam's ideas they might have been inspired by some of the benefits of capitalism, possibly altering their manifesto to include certain elements of democracy. The paper also examines the ideas expressed in Albert Hirschman's "Exit, Voice, and Loyalty." The author also believes Hirschman's philosophy would have impacted Marx and Engels as well. The author concludes that if Marx and Engels had lived to see recent history, their vision of a new, just society based on economic plenty shared by all would have certainly changed.
Outline:
About the Communist Manifesto
Putnam's Notion of Social Capital
Exit, Voice, and Loyalty
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "It makes sense that if Marx and Engels were alive in today's society, they would have much different trains of thought. Given their philosophical natures, they would likely be influenced by many of today's contemporary thought leaders, such as Albert Hirschman, author of "Exit Voice and Loyalty", and Robert Putnam, author of "Democracies in Flux". This paper aims to provide a background on the ideas of "The Communist Manifesto" and offer some insight on what Marx and Engels may have changed based on reading these two contemporary works. "
Abstract This paper explores the historical and economic influences that spurred KarlMarx and FriedrichEngels to create their philosophical theories and writings. The author elaborates on their innovative perspectives, especially Marx's view of the bourgeoisie oppressing the working class. Several quotes are included to illustrate this point. The paper also cites how Marx and Engels influenced socialist and communist thought as well as why their belief systems were so difficult to fully achieve in society.
From the Paper "Society, during that era, was composed primarily of individuals who retained the vast proportion of wealth, who Marx called the bourgeoisie, and the workers, whom Marx titled the proletariat. Marx was vehement in his total disdain for the bourgeoisie. The Communist Manifesto states; "The bourgeoisie keeps more and more doing away with the scattered state of the population, of the means of production, and of property. It has agglomerated population, centralized means of production, and has concentrated property in a few hands." (Marx 1988 pp 213-214)."
Abstract Writers such as Bernal Diaz, John Locke, KarlMarx/ FriedrichEngels, and Jules Verne wrote about some of the most important themes in world history such as colonialism, absolutism and industrial capitalism. This paper examines how their particular historical context (the 16th century, 17th century, and 19th century) influenced their ideas and how the historical context has changed over time. While doing so, the writers focuses largely on a single work of each of the above-mentioned writers, i.e., "The Conquest of New Spain" by Bernal Diaz; "The Second Treatise of Government" by John Locke; "The Communist Manifesto" by KarlMarx & FriedrichEngels; and "Around the World in Eighty Days" by Jules Verne.
From the Paper "Bernal Diaz del Castillo was a Spanish conquistador, chronicler and historian who sailed to the Americas and fought many battles under different Spanish adventurers including Hernan Cortes, the conqueror of Mexico. As a reward for his services Diaz was made the governor of a Guatemalan town where he took up residence until he died. In order to repudiate an over glorified account of Cortes? conquests written by his secretary Gomara (who had not even been to America), Diaz wrote The True History of the Conquest of New Spain when he was an old man of almost eighty. Although lacking a sophisticated literary style, the work is recognized as an important eyewitness account of the Spanish conquests in the Americas, and the subjugation of the native people by the Spanish colonists."
Abstract This paper analyzes Max Weber's interpretive sociological theory and asks whether Weber intended it to be a critique of KarlMarx. The paper explains that Weber's theory asserts that human actions are based on a complex mix of outside influences and individual motivations. Then the paper examines Marx's theory, which attempts to explain how individual economic relationships are the base of all social relationships.
From the Paper "Max Weber's interpretive sociology attempted to understand human behavior by examining the meanings beneath human actions. Weber believed that human actions arose from a complex mix of individual motivations and outside influences and..."
Abstract This paper examines whether KarlMarx's explanations and analysis of the concepts of value, use-value, exchange-value, labor, commodity and fetishism help in developing a critical understanding of capitalism.
From the Paper "Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and controlled. Capitalist economies are characterized by competition in the private sector and by the profit motive and by the fact that there is ..."
Abstract This paper explains that KarlMarx's character came from his experiences as a child. As a convert, a lofty Christian idealism paved his way into philosophical study, but the Prussian authorities' unwarranted suspicion of his father, who was a lawyer, a constitutionalist, a democrat, and a Jew, led young Karl to consider, with discontent, the structure of government. The author points out that, although Marx studied under Hegel, the greatest influence in his life was his longtime friend, FriedrichEngels, who introduced Marx to many of the works of influential economists of the time, which would help him shape his economic and human philosophy. The paper relates that Vladimir Lenin extended Marxism and made it more comprehensible for the masses, augmenting it into Marxist-Leninism. Without KarlMarx, there probably would never have been a Russian Revolution.
From the Paper "In 1864, the International Working Men's Association (IWMA) was founded. It gave Marx the needed conduit for his revolutionary cause. Marx actually drew up the rules for the group, clearly advocating the gradual gain of power through parliamentary assemblies. This became the best means for freeing the proletariat in industrially advanced countries like Britain. With his strong opinions and stronger understanding of politics, Marx eventually became a member of the IWMA's general committee. This position gave him the clout he needed to present his ideas: such as strong support of the Paris Commune. This bold action drew the attention of all, especially the frightened French bourgeoisie. Unfortunately his position in the IWMA was the height of his official political career. He became under attack from the working class, who were unsupportive of his extreme measures, and others disliking any kind of authority. With Marx's political defeat, the IWMA lost all of its effectiveness and eventually dissolved into nonexistence. Although Marx no longer had any official place in politics, working-class leaders from Germany, France, and Britain continued to consult him about their problems."
Abstract In this article the writer analyzes the views of KarlMarx, in particular with regards to his views of the alienation of a worker. The writer discusses that KarlMarx defined this type of alienation as being a social problem, which had been in fact created by the bourgeois management of production on one hand, and exchange on the other. The writer notes that today, the condition of the worker is not as alienated as described by KarlMarx during his times, but still, a human being still produces automatically to earn his livelihood, rather then producing without any sort of external necessity, perhaps like an artist or a musician. The writer concludes that in a society where the forces of the market are able to dictate human behavior, people would never be able to realize their full potential, and this would mean that capitalism today, which interferes with the true nature of a human being, must be abolished as far as it is a possibility.
From the Paper "In other words, Karl Marx was of the firm opinion that in general, a worker was alienated to a large extent. Perhaps, said Karl Marx, the obvious expression of this alienation was seen in the fact that the worker was quite unable, in capitalist times, of actually owning what he had produced with his effort and hard work. The fact cannot be denied, that the existing conditions of production did indeed dehumanize the worker, to such an extent that he became a mere animal, in following his routine and losing his creativity. The worker would also feel alienated because of the fact that work is not 'himself', it is outside of him, and therefore, not at all a part of his true nature. He becomes both mentally and physically 'debased', and is happy only during his leisure time, which is not much, and he is almost like an animal, in the basic satisfaction of his animal functions of eating, sleeping, procreating, while in his creativity and so on, he is reduced to an animal like thinking. Therefore, the animal becomes human, and the human, animal."
Abstract This paper analyzes the philosophies of KarlMarx on the psychological nature of man. Unlike sociological relativism, Marx started out with the idea that man qua man is a recognizable and ascertainable entity, which can be defined not only biologically, anatomically and physiologically, but also psychologically. In particular, the author of this paper studies Marx's writing on the alienation of man from human nature. The paper explains how the notion of alienation informed Marx's philosophies on communism, since he believed that only in a classless society could man become his full potential.
From the Paper "According to Marx, humanity's fundamental need was for freedom, but was not actually free. Humans had no control over their own lives or over their own productivity. They were oppressed by the social and economic powers, which controlled the systems of labor and capital. Humans worked to survive, unable to enjoy the results of their labor, alienated by the systems of societal life."
Abstract The paper examines the book "KarlMarx", a comprehensive study of Marx's life and the creation of Marxist thought. The paper discusses the author's belief that Marx was one of the nineteenth century's greatest philosophers. The paper concludes that Marx was a revolutionary of his time and his ideas, although often dismissed, are still controversial and thought-provoking today.
From the Paper "The biographical information on Marx' life is a very small percentage of this volume, but it does give the reader a good idea of his background and early education that led to the development of his ideas and philosophies. His expulsion from both Paris and Germany led to his settlement in London, where he did the bulk of his work."
"Marx helped found the International Working Men's Association in 1864, which helped spread the ideals of socialism and anti-capitalism. Eventually these ideas spread around the world and led to the formation of labor unions in many areas, including the United States. They also led to the rise of socialist mentality in Russia, leading eventually to the formation of the Soviet Union and the overthrow of the royal family."
Abstract This paper explores KarlMarx's theory of estrangement within the context of the contemporary industrial and economic setting. It devotes a considerable amount of time to explicating Marx's conceptions of estrangement and alienation. The paper subsequently looks at how his concept of estrangement can be applied to the modern global economy.
From the Paper "To begin with, Marx insists that the worker in the capitalist order is the most wretched of beings insofar as his or her power is in inverse proportion to his (or her) creative production. In other words, as Marx argues vehemently, the worker creates and someone else gains the wealth accumulated by the creation of that item. To elaborate a little further, the fruits of labor's efforts (the goods produced by steadfast toil) metamorphose into something that is literally independent of the producer; the laborers lose control over the means of production and the more products he or she produces, the less ability he or she has to consume those goods and the more he or she falls under the dominion of capital (Marx, 30-31)."
Abstract This essay presents a critical analysis of KarlMarx and his theories, and explains his significance in history. The paper concludes that Marx was one of the most influential figures of the 19th century and that his theories are still relevant today.
From the Paper "Karl Marx was born in Rhineland Germany in 1818 to Jewish parents who were well off without being wealthy. His father, Heinrich was a liberal-minded lawyer who had nominally converted to Lutheranism to make life easier for himself as a lawyer. At the age of seventeen, Marx enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Bonn, where he got involved in radical students politics and unruly behavior. His father disapproved of such behavior and shifted him to the more serious University of Berlin. Being a rebel at heart, though, Marx was unable to keep aloof from politics; he joined the Young Hegelian movement in Berlin, produced a radical critique of Christianity and found the doors of a university education closed to him by the Prussian government. He then moved on to a career in journalism becoming an editor of an influential liberal Cologne newspaper in 1842. He soon got into trouble in his new profession too when he published articles on the economy that were not appreciated by the Government, which banned the paper and Marx was forced to immigrate to France. It was in Paris that Marx developed his theories on Socialism and Communism. (Kries, 2004)"
Abstract This paper is a unique analysis of modern capitalism, drawing upon select previous works from Marx and Engels and an explanation in a reader. The paper is written as a contemporary manifesto reflecting modern disenchantment with capitalism. The paper is written in dialogue to Marx's writing and assumes with optimism that the Communist revolution is nearly at hand.
From the Paper "Karl Marx wrote that "Human Beings make their own history ... but not in circumstances of their own making." This is a basis to all the theories behind the thought developed by himself and Friedrich Engels. Society and man are but the sum of the social relations between them and are captured by the social processes they created. Bearing this in mind, the following paper will examine the problems of the modern capitalist world through a Marxist analysis. Frantz Fanon had a profound influence on the civil rights movements in France and the United States in the mid-20th Century."
Abstract This paper explores KarlMarx's candid views on capitalism, socialism and the industrial revolution, as seen in his "Communist Manifesto" of 1848, as well as how more personal issues such as religion, human nature, and morality relate to these changes.
From the Paper "In the Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Fredierich Engels created a very clear picture of what they envisioned as the perfect society. Written in 1848, at a time of upheaval and political uncertainty in Europe, the Communist Manifesto was intended to clearly outline the ideas and proposals of the fledgling Communist parties cropping up across Europe at the time (Giddens, 1973). Yet Marx's allegedly logical basis for understanding the impact of political, economic and religious structures is in direct opposition to the applications of these elements in the ideal world that is envisioned within the morally grounded Christian perspective (Schmitt, 1997)."
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes KarlMarx's theory about the social fragmentation and alienation caused by a country's division of labor and how religion was merely an attempt to distract the masses from their miserable working conditions.
From the Paper "Karl Marx believed that every country's internal relations were a function of that country's division of labor. This division of labor led to a person's social and economic fragmentation and alienation where eventually the laborer owned neither his labor nor the product of that labor. This left the laborer in an impoverished and miserable condition. Marx believed that religion was an attempt to distract people from those miserable conditions and thereby distract people from agitating for better working and..."
