...This paper is concerned with the relationship between capitalism and demographic trends; with the late twentieth century development of neoliberalism alongside historically low levels of fertility in rich capitalist societies. In particular, I question if and how the shift from postwar, regulated capitalism to contemporary, neoliberal capitalism has contributed to the aggregate decline and stagnation of birth rates in advanced capitalist countries. In short, my claim is that the institutional and ideational features of neoliberal capitalism undermine the various requirements for reproduction. More specifically, by reducing the material and psychological means to reproduce, and diminishing the normative value of social-reproductive activities,...
Words: 744 - Pages: 3
...Marxism and Social Movements Marxism is a body of theory that was developed from and crafted for social movements. Marxist theory in the twentieth century was linked to the development of oppositional political projects across the world. There were a range of revolutionary struggles against imperialist wars and capitalism. The First World War divided the forces of socialism, with those who were to become social democrats supporting the mass slaughter of the War. Marxism rested on a proposition and a wager. The proposition is that the core problem facing popular movements in the present time is the capitalist system. The wager is that the working class is capable of transforming itself through collective action and organization to the point where it can break capitalism apart and lay out foundations of a new cooperative world community. The proposition and wager provided Marxism with a standard that assessed the whole array of resistance of capitalist power. In Marxist theory, the issue of ‘replacement power’ focuses on the necessity and not simply taking over the state but reorganizing it in ways that were unthinkable. This book addressed broad theoretical questions while critiquing academic social movement theory and interrogating what a Marxist theory of social movements might involve. This book examined how movements actually work, explored the political questions that confront movement participants, and argued understanding of how movements developed. The last part of...
Words: 1025 - Pages: 5
... I have shown an anthropological explanation for the journey of change making within capitalist structures. I have shown a critical analysis of ecopreneurs’ practices within capitalist structures. Here, I give a critical analysis on my study and provide some suggestions for further studies. Hegemonic Narratives The way we talk about certain things affects the way we think about that particular thing. In this case, capitalism is often framed with negative narratives. Reproducing this narrative makes it difficult to change capitalist structure. At the Impact Day conference in Amsterdam, many ecopreneurs showed their indignation about the concept of “social entrepreneurship.” According to them, using this term implies that...
Words: 1018 - Pages: 5
...Answer: Capitalism is an economic system, in which prices of the products are decided by the market and government does play significant role in the regulation of market. If we look back into history then we will found that Capitalism has always been remaining subject of criticism from many perspectives. The concept of Capitalism was first criticized by Marxists. They present various lines of argument claiming that capitalism is a contradiction-laden system characterized by persistent crises that have an inclination towards mounting severity. Critiques of capitalism argued that this tendency of the system to unravel combined with a socialization process that links people in an international market, produce the objective conditions for revolutionary change. The three Marxist critiques of capitalism were Karl Marx, Weber and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. Marxists describe capital as "a social, economic relation" among people. In brief, we can say that they seek to abolish capital. According to the Karl Marx, capitalism is a progressive chronological stage that would ultimately stagnate due to internal contradictions and be followed by socialism. In Karl Marx's view; working class will affect adversely due to dynamic of capital. This will lead to the social conditions for a revolution. Capitalism promotes Private ownership. This means that the people having more money will have control over the production and distribution. This type of economic structure will create non-owning classes on...
Words: 562 - Pages: 3
...Miranda Collins Dr. Jeff Kersh English 1010 March 10, 2016 Bernie vs Trump: A Contrast and Comparison of Capitalism and Socialism Getting the right ideas of how an economy should be run is a significant challenge. However, two systems can be used: socialism or capitalism. The United States continues to face this challenge. The current presidential campaign illustrates this important issue. Two candidates exemplify the two economic ideologies. Bernie Sanders adheres to the idea of democratic socialism, while Donald Trump follows capitalism. Capitalism is seen as a system that is mostly based on entrepreneurship, market allocation, and private ownership (Friedman 15). Socialism, on the other hand, is a structure where the control of factors of production is moved from individuals to the state. In light of these issues, below is a comparison and contrast between capitalism and socialism. While socialism helps to even out and equally distribute wealth in the society so that no particular person has control over production except the government, Capitalism does not allow for an evening out, and equal distribution of resources in the society. Also, the government has no control over production. According to Walter (7), Capitalism is “the economic system under which the ownership of goods and services are privately owned, and decisions concerning pricing, investments, and distribution are determined in a free-market system, primarily on the basis of competition among businesses”...
Words: 1148 - Pages: 5
...Women’s social status has been steadily increasing within the last fifty years. Due to capitalism, education opportunities, and what Kristof and WuDunn call the “girl effect,” women’s positions in society have been elevating. In short, the “girl effect” allows women to have the same opportunities in education, jobs, and other aspects. Women are given opportunities to work more help benefit the family and community, but most importantly, it benefits women themselves. Because women are able to work outside the home, women’s gender roles are changing financially, and giving more independence. However, the unequal treatment between men and women still exists: women who work in the same position as the men may not earn as much. In “From the Frying Pan into the Fire,” Hochschild argues that the work requirements under capitalism change people’s thought and behaviors. Due to capitalism, women are jumping in the working field, and there exists a continuing competition between the home and the workplace. “The Girl Effect” shows how capitalism changes women’s gender roles,...
Words: 1611 - Pages: 7
...market (Polanyi 43). In order to make the market society function, people need to think and act in certain ways(Polanyi 68). For example, people in market society think that economic relations are much more important than interpersonal relations (Polanyi 44). Polanyi calls the emergence of market society “the great transformation”. My thesis statement is that the shift to market society is a fundamental transformation because market society is characterized by self-regulation, fictitious commodities, and an emphasis on individuals, which are significantly distinct from previous societies. Some of the changes that take place in workplace under the system of market society will also be presented. Moreover, the ideas that people have about the world in market society will be describing by pointing out the relationship between the “protestant work ethic” and the “spirit of capitalism”. Finally, the reasons why these ideological conditions are crucial to the emergence of market society will be provided. The first characteristic of market society that makes the shift to market society essential is that economy within it is self-regulating and it is called “market economy” (Polanyi 68). Self-regulation indicates that the system of market is able to organize Chen 2 the power in the economic sphere without external force (Polanyi 43). In other words, it is the market itself to be responsible for what are produced and...
Words: 1676 - Pages: 7
...at, Marx, Gramsci and Althusser. All of these theorists focus on how capitalism has been maintained in many societies and how eventually it will be over thrown. Both Gramsci and Althusser’s ideas originate from the works of Karl Marx who, unlike functionalist Emile Durkheim, saw no evolutionary progress of society but a gradual change in which capitalism would increase human misery. Marx suggested that capitalism needed to replaced by ideas such as communism. He looked at historical materialism and suggested that our society is altered by forces of production from the base and the superstructure. He argues that capitalist production forms the economic base and this ultimately shapes our superstructure, like institutions, religion, law and education. However, Althusser criticises this for being too simplistic and suggests a more complex two way causality model. He argues there are three levels; Economic level: comprising all those activities that involve producing something in order to satisfy and need. Political level: comprising all forms of organisation. And the Ideological level: involving the ways that people see themselves and their world. He believes each level can affect each other and impact different choices and beliefs on each level. This approach discourages political action because it is the role of structural forces rather than free will; it is active struggler of the working class that change society. On the other hand, Gramsci rejects that movement to communism...
Words: 1004 - Pages: 5
...Society o Get a theoretical grasp to understand the mechanisms at work in the overall process of historical change in which Capitalism was a phase – used historical epochs to show this change with each having a dominant class o Under capitalism humans are alienated from their world, work, others and themselves – Capitalism is based on surplus value and the labour theory of value o Marx was aware of intermediate classes (petit-bourgeoisie or lumpenproletariat) but thought they would become polarised into Bourgeoisie and Proletariat. o Because he felt that all human experiences and behaviours were linked to the economic conditions at the time; currently Capitalism he is known as an economic determinist o False-class consciousness which is ideological control blinds the Proletariat from the true nature of their oppression and hinders the revolutionary process Neo-Marxism Gramsci (1891-1937) o Founding member and one-time leader of The Communist Party. o More political than philosophical o Wanted to examine why no revolution? How is Capitalism maintaining and reproducing itself ideologically and culturally? o Created concept of, and examined ‘Hegemony’ – the power exercised by one social group over another. o He did this through social structures o Followed Marxist principles of Capitalism creating alienation and Communism being utopian Althusser (1918 – 1990) o Structural Marxist ...
Words: 358 - Pages: 2
...between sex and gender; sex refers to biological differences whereas gender refers to the culturally constructed differences between the roles and identities assigned to men and women. Liberal feminists argue there has been a move towards greater gender equality and that a gradual reform is necessary through changing laws and cultural changes away from gender stereotypes. They also believe that the ideas about gender are culturally constructed and transmitted through socialisation. For example, the mother is supposed to look after the children rather than go to work. Oakley criticises Parson’s assumption of gender roles being based on biological differences by arguing that men and women are equally capable of performing both roles within society yet this is prevented by the traditional gender roles. Liberal feminists make a fair point by stating that gender roles are not ingrained as they show to an extent that roles are not determined. However Liberal feminists are criticised by Radical and Marxist feminists as they argue that Liberal feminists fail to recognise the underlying causes of women’s subordination and that is naïve to believe that changes in the law or attitudes will be enough to bring equality between men and women. The Liberal feminists have contributed to our understanding of society as they have put forward reasons and...
Words: 1117 - Pages: 5
...Adrienne Korson Marxism: For and Against Marxism is essentially a critique of Capitalism. In order to understand Marxism, one needs to evaluate the history of Marxism. Heilbroner described Marxism as being “inescapable” (Heilbroner, 15). Marxism is credited with the contribution for uncovering an unsuspected level of reality beneath the surface of capitalism. His mode of inquiry for uncovering the hidden reality of capitalism is through his own invented process of socioanalysis. Because of Marx’s legacy of revealing the reality of capitalism, Heilbroner compares him to Freud and Plato, all whose works are inescapable for the truths they have unveiled. Freud and Plato both unveiled hidden realities. Marx shared a further similarity in the sense that his “combination of insight and method permanently altered the manner in which reality would thereafter be perceived” (Heilbroner, 17). Marx’s works in his book Capital is still more relevant today than Adam Smith’s renowned work Wealth of Nations. Marx‘s book placed importance on technology and crises and social tension, and more importantly, undertakes the task of critiquing the political economy. However, the problem of Marxism is within trying to define it. Heilbroner believes that there exists a set of premises that can assist in defining Marxist thought, “so that any analysis that contains these premises can be properly classified as Marxist” (Heilbroner, 20). There are four main premises as described by Heilbroner; the...
Words: 6370 - Pages: 26
...Industrial Revolution The Untied States and Great Britain were at the for front of the Industrial Revolution, this revolution was a period between 1780 and 1850 of rapid scientific and technological change in these countries. Soon after the rest of the world would follow. One of the big changes that happened during the Industrial Revolution was changes to manufacturing. New tools were able to transform the ways textiles, steel, food production, and chemicals were produced. This new innovation made it much faster for these products to be produced and in return led to greater productions. A single powered machine could produce more in one day that a single factory worker could in one week. This led to the ability to meet consumer demand on a much faster scale. These new machined also brought more uniformity to what was being produces, meaning the things such as screws, and fitting were able to be standardized and that led to a foundation if future technologies. These new machines were expensive investors had to pool their money together in order to buy them which contributed to the spread of corporation, and factory model of production (Soomo, The Industrial Revolution and Social Consequences). Because of this new large scale manufacturing, occupations that people once relied on for work and income were now taken over forcing people to work in factories. Factory workers even included women and young children. This led to the breakdown of the family unit. Before factories...
Words: 943 - Pages: 4
...Capitalism vs. Communism Throughout history, there have been many systems developed in order to have a better society. Two of the most analyzed, and debated systems that have tired to change an economy for the best are communism, and capitalism. Communism, and capitalism have been compared on many levels, such as why they will or will not work, and which one works better. Throughout this essay I will concentrate on the differences, and similarities of how each operates, along with the benefits, and problems that each of them produces. Both of these economic systems theories came about around the same time, in the late 17th to mid18th centuries. One of the main contributor for capitalism was Adam Smith, writing The Wealth of a Nation in 1776, and Karl Marx for communism publishing the Communist Manifesto in 1848. These both were looked as a manual or guide for achieving such advancements. Communism called for the people to not be selfish and work for the benefits of the community rather for their well being. It asks them to see that what benefits the whole, benefits themselves. Capitalism on the other hand is focused on working for individual growth, and personal ownership to provide wealth for one's self. Communism plans to have a higher power or government control the economy to create a better way of living, by which all goods are equally distributed. As capitalism wants the government to not play a big role in the system, but instead wants it to be up to private ownership...
Words: 1788 - Pages: 8
... more sewage and more contamination. Another social consequence is that of mechanization. Mechanization is the process of removing people and animals from their jobs and replacing them with machines. Machines may offer the luxury of mass production but it is at the cost of human workers being unemployed. So like a domino effect, all the people who moved to the city for work in factories are now being replaced by machines. In turn you have overcrowded cities with a large number of unemployed, hungry and desperate people. Now these people can barely afford to live, eat or even take care of their animals, the same animals that were replaced by machines. The first Industrial Revolution contributed to the rise of capitalism because of the increase of factories and the mass production of materials. With the advent of machines to mass produce things such as cotton material, the owners of the companies were soon enticed by the profit that could be made. The only that stood in the way of making more money was the act of paying more workers. In turn factories and machines were manned by single crew members with long hours and no breaks. Everything became about production and how well you worked. Before too long...
Words: 865 - Pages: 4
...In a way, communism is an extreme form of socialism. Many countries have dominant socialist political parties but very few are truly communist. In fact, most countries - including staunch capitalist bastions like the U.S. and U.K. - have government programs that borrow from socialist principles. "Socialism" is sometimes used interchangeably with "communism" but the two philosophies have some stark differences. Most notably, while communism is a political system, socialism is primarily an economic system that can exist in various forms under a wide range of political systems. Comparison chart | |Communism |Socialism | |Philosophy |From each according to his ability, to each according to |From each according to his ability, to each according to| | |his needs. Free-access to the articles of consumption is |his contribution. Emphasis on profit being distributed | | |made possible by advances in technology that allow for |among the society or workforce to complement individual | | |super-abundance. |wages/salaries. | |Economic System |The means of production are held in common, negating the |The means of production are owned by public enterprises | | |concept of ownership in...
Words: 3092 - Pages: 13
