Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Marxist perspective on globalization - Essay Example

The dominant group, which was identified as the producer, would depend on the proletariat for labour and manpower (Mann 1997). They, thus, would require the situation to remain as it is to ensure their power. Karl Marx believed that with economic power came social and political power. Looking at the world today, it is not difficult to see what he claimed. This paper will look at some of the strengths and weaknesses on his perspective on globalization. Philosophers and sceptics to Marxism may admit that some of Marx’s theories resonate with today’s world.

In modern times, it has become a common occurrence for gigantic corporations to have a hand in most of what goes on around the world. There is the control of massive goods, products, and services through a few individuals who ensure that there is a continuous flow of labour (Schirato & Webb 2003). In doing so, the proletariat class ensures they survive. This is regardless of what they feel on what is going on around them is not all fair. The strengths that show up in Karl Marx’s perspective on globalization offer an individual a concise image of what is happening today (Westra 2010).

Strengths of the Marxist perspective on globalization One of the key aspects of globalization that Marx indicated was the positive trend that may benefit consumers. In the growth and development of markets, it is highly likely that the consumers may benefit from the production of more goods, services, and products. There will be an efficient way of allocating these products and goods to markets and consumers. This gets to prove that the individualistic driven market are getting higher up, and are present.

It may be impossible to have national competitiveness if there is a regulation placed on the allocation of products in such markets (Scholte 1997). This is what Marx sought to claim during his time. However, it was only after his lifetime that individuals came to see what was happening. Karl Marx was a sceptic of globalization. He saw it as a means for the wealthy to get more powerful, while the poor remain poor. Nationalism and governments will remain the determining factors in every day and age.

All these are controlled from the background by individuals who have a hand in the global market, which inadvertently controls the proletariat class. Competition allows capitalists to improve their products, make new products for consumers, and expand their bases. Countries that need their economies to grow must, therefore, compete with foreign markets and have a place in the expanding market (Ritzer 2009). Marx’s perspective indicated that lines along race will no longer be considered. Individuals will only be looked at as consumers that have the ability to pay for products.

This is regardless of where they are, or who they are. Moreover, the Marxist perspective’s strength comes in the form of its ability to explain change and conflict in society. As seen earlier, for these individualistic controlled markets to survive, it is imperative that they change their goods, products, and services to sustain their consumers’ urges. The proletariat class is responsible for the manpower and labour that enables the bourgeoisie class to have a hold on everything. If a shift occurred, there would be an unsettling balance that would indicate the dominant class is no longer in control.

By maximising their control over the less dominant class, they have control over their