POL 315 MODULE 3
The Industrial revolution of 17 th and 18 th century created a large
laboring non-propertied class which made mass thought and mass action
feasible. The contest between landed aristocracy and manufacturers was
replaced by a contest between capitalists and laborers. Capitalism led to
increase in the powers of producing wealth, which unfortunately was for
the few while the mass is condemned to toil and poverty. Socialism is all
about changing the social positions to enrich the whole society. Today,
great new productive forces have been created by science and
technology but it becomes ever more evident that the capitalist class
cannot direct the development and use of those forces for the benefits of
the majority of mankind. Today means exist to feed and clothe, provide
education, culture, equal opportunity, provide all with high standard of
living if all the discoveries were used and supplies directed where they
are must needed.
For example, nuclear energy and unlimited power production,
automation that can lighten labor and turn out goods profusely; medical
science that can stamp out diseases, biology and agricultural science that
can ensure enough food for the world etc. Instead resources both human
and material remain unemployed because of the profit motives of the
capitalist system which promotes stupendous wealth in the mist of
poverty. The capitalist market economy promotes the exploitation of
those who lack capacity and capability of control of the means of
production.
For Marx, wealth is created by labor and primitively accumulated by the
capitalist class. If resources are equitably distributed in society, where
will the profits for the big capitalist monopolies come from? Shortages,
scarcity and manner of capitalist intrigues are created to keep the free
market economy afloat. Vast resources are squandered on weapons of
mass destruction. People even fear higher technology innovation for fear
of crisis and unemployment. The profit system converted men’s
achievements into threats to their livelihood and very existence. This is
final sign that the system has out lived its time and must be replaced by
another.
Karl Marx, as a humanist, was primarily moved by the untold hardship
and sufferings that was prevalent in Europe at the turn of the 19 th
Century especially during the nascent stages of industrial revolution.
The newly introduced system of production which replaces artisanship,
family businesses, and cottage industries with factory system was highly
disruptive and succeeded in uprooting the already existing social
relationships in society. The less privileged in society were the worst hit
by the industrial revolution. The revolution brought so much misery to
the people that Marx unequivocally canvassed for its overthrow by the
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