AN EVALUATION OF KARL MARX’S IDEA OF CAPITALISM

ABSTRACT

The history of man shows that people came together at a point in time to form society. The reason for this is for human beings to have a peaceful co-existence, society therefore is a human creation.

How can a society be adjudged as just? These are question yearning for answers and a great concern for political philosophers. The idea of capitalism has it’s origin in the west and it is highly practiced in the Euro-American world.

Capitalism as a principle in a society spread like wild fire that today it is practiced all around the world. On the face value capitalism appears to be nonconsequential as it seems to bring about rapid growth and development in society. But Karl Marx, who is regarded as the father of socialism vehemently, rejects capitalism in all its ramification. For him, capitalism can only be described as exploitative. It is in this light that this study shall evaluate Marx’s idea of capitalism with a view to addressing the above question.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Table of Contents

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1        Background of Study

1.2        Statement of the Problem

1.3        Scope of the Study

1.4        Purpose of the Study

1.5        Significance of the Study

1.6        Methodology

1.7        Literature Review

Endnotes

CHAPTER TWO:           KARL MARX’S BIOGRAPHY AND CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION OF CAPITALISM

2.1.1 Life and Works of Karl Marx

2.1.2 Influence on Karl Marx Political Thought

2.2.1 An Over-View of Capitalism

2.2.2  Fundamental Features of Capitalism

Endnotes

CHAPTER THREE:       KARL MARX CONCEPTION OF CAPITALISM

3.1    Historical Materialism of Karl Marx

3.2    Dialectical Materialism of Karl Marx

3.3    Analysis of Capitalism in Marx’s Political Thought

3.4    Fundamental Bases of Marx’s Critique of Capitalism

3.4.1 Exploitation

3.4.2 Expropriation

3.4.3 Alienation

3.5    Revolution and the Ideal Marxian State

3.6    Substructures and Superstructure

Endnotes

CHAPTER FOUR: CRITICAL EVALUATION

4.1    Critical Evaluation of Marx’s Idea of Capitalism

4.2    Conclusion

Endnotes

Bibliography

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0       BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Capitalism is an advancement of feudalism. Some basic contradiction or flaws in this system of capitalism, is one that generate and depends on social inequality. What makes capitalism unique is not it’s industrial technology but the very way it organizes interpersonal relations in the work organization.

It is note worthy that the system of capitalism has to do basically with exploitation and alienation and in this sense, Marx held that when the worker’s income, wealth, prestige and power are not equal to those of the owner’s of the means of production then the relationship between the workers and owners of means of production becomes one of exploitation.

Alienation is another great tool of capitalism, were Marx argued that the social interaction between worker’s and owner’s in the organization is alienating, workers are dehumanized and the concept refers both to social situation which people find themselves (alienating work situation) and the perceptions of individuals in those situations (a feeling of being less human).

1.1       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problematic of capitalism lies in its exploitative tendency. What is crucial in this regard is to outline the problems raised by Marx about capitalism in an attempt to do away with the system of capitalism. As listed in the background above, exploitation and alienation are basically what capitalism constitute of. However, with these problem of capitalism Marx sought to proffer a salutation through the form of a revolution.

The problematic here is how to achieve a classless society and have the commonwealth in common. This problem posses great challenge especially in the experimentation of socialism and communism. Another problematic is, can socialism truly be a state of classlessness. In other words we are faced with the problem of removing the divide between the have’s and the have not. Another problem to be looked at critically is that of revolution, will it lead to progress or retrogression.

1.2       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This essay discusses capitalism in reference to Karl Marx, not withstanding it will also discuss this concept from the perspective of general conception of capitalism. However, it shall also applaud as well as criticize Karl Marx concept of capitalism.

1.3       PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to highlight the conceptualization of capitalism of Karl Marx with the view of showing that the postulation of socialism may not necessarily bring an end to class distinction. In other words this study aim at showing that socialism and communism could be a worse socio-economic and political agreement compare to capitalism.

1.4       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

In line with the purpose of this study, the significance of the study will show that we can not remove capitalism from socio-economic development and growth. Again it will help economic planners and leaders to decide and initiate economic policy that will lead to the growth of the nation’s economy for the benefit of every individual rather than some. In line with the above, the study will serve as a call for government to regulate the practices of capitalism where it has being adopted such that worker’s right are protected. Lastly, the study will serve as an intellectual contribution to the improvement of capitalist and socialist economy in such a way that a synthesis can be reached.

1.5       METHODOLOGY

This essay adopts both analytical and critical methods. At the initial stage it shall outline in details the position of Karl Marx on the issue of capitalism as well as his profound solution to the annihilation of capitalism. Progressively it shall criticize Karl Marx’s conception of capitalism.

1.6       LITERATURE REVIEW

The first book to be reviewed here is authorized by R. N. Caron Hunt and it is titled, “The Theory and Practice of Communism” (London: Penguin Books, 1950). In this book, the author gives us a short account of Marxism and it’s consequence in Russia, from a highly critical standpoint.

The author clearly explained that modern Marxian thought is a synthesis in which the basic principles of Karl Marx and Engle’s have been tailored by Lenin and Stalin to fit into the twentieth century. The book gives an analysis of the

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