While discussing Marx has become almost an exhausted topic, I would still like to give some thought to the topic. One of the points in many of the arguments against Marx has been that his concepts do not allow for innovation to remain a priority within a society. I find this point to be a perfect representation of what Capitalism inspires within the minds of its supporters - the necessity of advancement and excess in resources.
As Mr. Varma pointed out in one of his comments, if the world was willing then every human on the planet would be able to have over four pounds of food every day. Now certainly I am not naive enough to believe that we could solve this problem with the flip of a switch, but that does not mean that this is an impossibility. I agree with professor Johnson that we should not limit our minds to think that these problems have no solution. Capitalism limits our minds to thinking in a mindset that primarily takes into account cost-benefits and production rates.
The Story that Brendan discusses in one of his comments about the German and American fishermen is a story I take to heart. Many Americans scoff at the German, believing our superior reasoning to be infallible and that it is foolish that he would not be interested in turning a profit.
I apologize ahead of time because the rest of my post is somewhat of a rant. PROFIT is not the only purpose within the life of a human being! The thought that maximizing my economic potential and my "value" is the primary goal in life causes a nauseating feeling to rise in me. I believe that a society so steeped in profit and economic gain often forgets that we do not have a need for a six-bedroom home when one has a family of four. Why can we not be satisfied with the simple pleasures in life? The German fisherman understands! He is content with fishing as a pleasurable activity. The American wants to hire other fisherman, turn the act into a means of gaining money, and therefore removing the human aspect of fishing and introducing a world of anxiety and business.
Many in our class have probably been stressing over midterms. One of the reasons for this and the stress we experience on on a daily basis related to schoolwork is because we are horrified of what lies after college or grad school - an occupation. If our society were more similar to Marx' concept then this stress would be alleviated, because everyone would receive what they need, regardless of their occupation. But in a Capitalist society that is focused on competition within the work force, it is a scary world. Imagine if there was no fear that you would be able to provide for yourself and your family no matter what occurred in school or your occupation?
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I agree that the only motivation for humans is not to turn a profit ro live in an oppulent six bedroom home. Warren Buffet lives WAY below his means and perfers anonymity in most circumstances despite being the preeminent investor in recent memory.
ReplyDeleteIn a communist society the main motivation for innovation and improvement is to better your fellow man. If man is disposed to help others and an altruistic creature, then the system could work. However, I think man generally is self-interested and so capitalism creates a system where success leads to wealth and security.
Understandably Marx argues that it is capitalism that forces man to be self-interested and alienated from their labor. Essentially it comes down to whether or not you believe man is inherently selfish or altruistic