Friday, February 15, 2013
Marx: Dead or Alive?
Why did so many socialist theories of economics emerge in Europe in the mid 19th Century, and why do you think those of Karl Marx grew to be more influential than the others? Why do you think capitalism has continued to flourish despite Marx's claim that it is destined to fail? Do you believe that there will be new social-economic theories emerging if capitalism encounters troubles, and if so what might these be? Please post a thoughful response by Friday 3/1/12.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is my type of question.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason for the emergence of socialist theories during the 19th century would obviously be the rise of what they critique:capitalism. In contrast to a society that was formerly based around the communal village, cities and capitalism increasingly regimented and alienated the laborer from their labor. The bourgeois, in asserting their new powers as a class, necessarily must oppress the class on whom they depend and have social power: the proletariat. This oppression could hardly have failed to garner a response, and that response was, at first utopian socialism, but later became anarchism and Marxism.
As for the triumph of Marx's theory, I think that his triumph is a bit overstated. Marxism became a prominent socialist theory, but only one of many, including Bakunin's collectivist anarchism and Proudhon's mutualism. Marx however gained prominence mainly because of the prolific nature of his writing and the scientific method of his work, which appealed to a burgeoning rationalism.
As for capitalism's continued existence, I think that Lenin provides the answer. Lenin identified imperialism as a way for the advanced capitalist economies to, in effect, have a pressure release valve. Though advanced capitalist nations like Germany would have long ago fallen to the contradictions of capitalism in isolation, by imperialism they are able to survive. Capitalism will again fall into crisis when this solution is finally exhausted, and their is nowhere left to colonize. But as long as some areas are in an earlier stage of history, i.e. that some areas still exist in feudalism, primitive communism, etc, capitalism can find new ways to release its contradictions.
New socio-economic theories are already emerging, from anarchism in Greece to Zapatismo in Chiapas. Capitalism has been in crisis, and it is not surprising that at this rupture in the social fabric new ideas are forming. However, I think that the new theories that are forming will have a focus beyond simply the economic focus of Marx, and will recognize gender, race, and other social markers as having as much importance as class.
I feel intimidated.... anyway.... I have thought about this response and I have come to the conclusion that I really do not like economics.
ReplyDeleteBecause I do not know why Marx grew to be more influential then Balcunnin or Blanqui.... maybe people followed him just because his name was easier to spell.
I also do not know why capitalism has continued to flourish despite Marx's claim that it is destined to fail. Maybe he was wrong or perhaps it is just a matter of days, months, years of centuries until he is proven right.
And finally, the only new social-economic theory that I hope emerges and becomes popular in the near future is people living within there means. Even better, people living beneath their means!