Karl Marx

Posted for Cortney Johnson, #6

The worker becomes all the poorer the more wealth he produces, the more his

production increases in power and range. The worker becomes an ever cheaper

commodity the more commodities he creates. With the increasing value of the world

of things proceeds in direct proportion to the devaluation of the world of men.

Labour produces not only commodities; it produces itself and the worker as a

commodity -- and does so in the proportion in which it produces commodities

generally.

Marx, Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts (1844)

Karl Marx’s radical ideas on political establishments got him expelled from the

governments of Germany, France, and Belgium. In 1848, he published “The

Communist Manifesto” which introduced his concept of socialism being the product

of capitalist society. Marx believed capitalism was a path towards self destruction.

He viewed all of history as a series of class struggles and laid out a revolution where

the working man would become the new upper class.

He felt that the structure of human nature was largely perverted by economic

foundations. Marx also argued that capitalism had a big impact on social relations,

inequality, and the exploiting of labor. His work in economics has laid ground work

for today’s labor and it’s coexistence with capital. Many labor unions and political

parties worldwide have been influenced by Marx and adopted his economic ideas.

To each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
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Karl Marx Opinion

I applaud Marx for his ideas. His intentions were admirable, but

unfortunately, un-realistic. Marxism and its original intent were perverted by

greedy and corrupt politic leaders. Capitalism is far too strong to conquer and

dissolve. I believe that it is human nature to want to be self-sufficient and successful.

That being said, those having wealth will not simply turn over their wealth to the

government to divide amongst the entire country. Those that are wealthy feel

entitled to it. They feel as though they worked for it, and earned it. I believe Marx’s

opinion is spot when he says the leaders at the top of the food chain reap the

benefits from the smaller workers whose hard work earns them the money. Today,

many American workers are boycotting businesses just for that reason. Take for

instance what is happening with Verizon and their employees fighting for what they

feel they’ve earned. As I said before, capitalism is far too big to completely crush, but

some of Marx’s ideas can be implemented into policy with cutting the ever growing

gap between the wealthy and the poor.