Alienation And Pre-Capitalism, Labor And Social Class, By Karl Marx

Karl Marx, who had a profound impact in sociology, raised political and economic awareness, Throughout his writings, he explains the effect production has on society and explores the relationships between different social classes. Marx shows the vital role labor plays in social hierarchy and reminds readers of the negative attributes associated with labor. Karl Marx provides commentary on labor and social classes, which is seen in “Alienation and Social Class,” “Classes in Capitalism and Pre-Capitalism,” and “Ideology and Class.”
In his first chapter, “Alienation and Social Class,” Marx explains how labor devalues men. Marx begins his argument by stating that “the worker becomes poorer the more wealth he produces” (Marx 87). In other words, as the worker creates more products, he or she simultaneously
produces him or herself as a commodity. In addition, Marx claims that labor alienates workers from human nature. For example, “eating, drinking, and procreating” (Marx 88) are human activities according to Marx. However, work deviates humans from these essential activities. Instead, workers are forced to drain their mental and physical energy towards labor. As a result, labor prevents workers from fulfilling human needs. Marx further develops his argument by explaining how labor alienates humans from other humans. For instance, Marx states that “man alienated from his species-life means that each man is alienated from others” (Marx 90). In other words, interactions between laborers are diminished because of physical and mental fatigue. Thus, Marx shows how labor reduces the humanistic values.
In “Classes in Capitalism and Pre-Capitalism,” Marx explains the hierarchy implemented on society by production.
Marx begins his argument by examining society during the colonization time period. During this time, Columbus discovered the new world, which allowed European countries to have a prosperous and flourishing economic system. There was an increase in exchange of goods and riches. Ultimately, this change caused a rapid development in society. As markets flourished, the distinction between the bourgeoisie and proletariat was also increasing at the same rate. The proletariat became a commodity and were seen as slaves. Bourgeoise manufacturers overlooked laborers, who toiled lengthy hours. Marx also explains how “differences of age and sex” were irrelevant for workers. Proletariats lost their indivual identity and were seen as one entity. Due to this unjust treatment, proletariats “ form[ed] combinations against bourgeois” (Marx 98), also known as unions. These unions eventually expanded to form a political party. One accomplishment of the proletariat political party was the passing of the ten-hour bill, which Marx described to be “revolutionary” (Marx
97).
In “Ideology and Class,” Marx explores how the certain classes acquire power. Marx begins his argument by stating that the class that holds power is ruling with “intellectual force” (Marx 101). For instance, “honor and loyalty” (Marx 102) were prevalent ideas the aristocats expressed, while “freedom and equality” (Marx 102) were prevalent ideas the bourgeois expressed. Marx continues on by explaining how the bourgeois obtained power. While the bourgeoisie were under the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie felt as if their freedom were seized by the aristocrats. As a result, the bourgeoisie started a revolution, which would in turn interest other classes because everyone yearned for freedom at the time. The bourgeoisie successfully overthrew the aristocracy and became the new ruling class. Eventually, the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie in a similar manner. Thus, Marx shows that different classes obtain power in the same manner, however, the rule of certain class will come to an end because the ideas become irrelevant.