Sumblog#2 Karl Marx

   
        In our class discussion we defined ideology as being a "belief system" that comes from "people". We further determined that it is the bourgeoisie of a given culture which determine the predominant ideology of a given age. Karl Marx pursued this point with his ideas on "Estranged Labour" (Social Theory, 29-33). 

     The whole concept of "estranged labour" (aka alienantion of labour) is what I found most interesting in reading Karl Marx. 

     Two parts of  Marx's definition of estranged labour are: "...that labour is external to the worker, i.e., it does not belong to his essential being;..." and " His labour is therefore not voluntary, but coerced; it is forced labour. It is therefore not the satisfaction of a need; it is merely a means to satisfy needs external to it." (Social Theory, 31). 

     I tend to agree. 

     Generally speaking, we take jobs to satisfy other needs - ie: pay the rent, buy food, support loved ones, get money to acquire desirable things, etc. On occasion, our selected jobs may fulfill a portion of our personal needs, but I've yet to meet anyone that (honestly) declared they love everything about their job. So at some level Marx was correct in stating that "...labour in which man alienates himself, is a labour of self-sacrifice, of mortification." (Social Theory, 31).

     It could be well argued that this is a good thing. Self-sacrifice is not inherently evil.  

     However, to my mind, too many people deny their essential selves in pursuit of money. They abandon too much of their humanity in pursuit of the material (Materialism). I see this in the Black Friday stampedes every year after Thanksgiving. I see it in co-workers "choosing" to work 60+ hour work weeks even though they have all they need. And I see it in the "for profit" medical industry - amongst others. 

     This ties in with my initial paragraph thusly:  if the bourgeoisie control the ideology - and the ideology is materialism = success,  then we are indeed being enslaved (at least partially) as Marx suggest.

       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhyL7yAs5R0

      

      I've included this song because it lryically conveys my personal feelings about the logical extension of  Marx's ideas in the physical world.  

#1. Wealth should not necessarily defined in terms of money.

#2. United labourers will have a greater voice.

#3. Live a life of purpose.

      One big happy lovefest right?