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Marx Alienation Capitalism

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Alienation
Marx found alienation to be a main flaw in capitalism. To Marx alienation demonstrates what is wrong with capitalism but also what is desirable about communism, and uses this flaw as part of his explanation of the breakdown of capitalism. Alienation is the lack of a sense of meaning. I personally find this to be the worst aspect of capitalism as we don’t even realise that we are alienated. People participate in mass consumption that they are completely disconnected from instead of achieving self-realisation. Marx did not hold this negative view especially in the mature economic writings when he applauded capitalism for “creating rich needs that it cannot satisfy” (Ester 1986, p41). As previously mentioned the lack of self-meaning or self-realisation is …show more content…
Self-realisation to Marx is described as “the full and free actualization and externalization of the powers and abilities of the individual” (Ester 1986 p42). I agree with Marx that a happy life can only be achieved by an individual who is living a life of active self-realisation, I also agree that capitalism prevents this life of self-realisation for a vast majority but today in this world many more people enjoy the work that they are involved with and experience a great sense of community and self-meaning whilst at work and completing the assigned tasks, In 2015 fortunately more resources are available that allow people to pursue a career that gives them a sense of meaning, but on the other hand a rise in technology have dehumanised the production process. I also found Marx to have an impoverished view of human nature because he only considered self-realisation and consumption as factors while some people devote their lives to relationships or to contemplation, but my view could be argued because they don’t compete for scare material resources (Ester 1985, pp42-43).Activities of self-realisation become more enjoyable the more an individual participates in the activity whereas consumption is

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