Marx's Theory of Alienation - Essay Example

A discussion of Marxs theory of alienation Marx came up with the alienation theory in order to disclose the human activity that lies behind the apparently uncongenial forces controlling the society. He illustrated how, even though the features of the world we reside in seem natural and independent of us, they are because of the past human actions. Marx demonstrated that not only that some of the human actions in the past shaped the contemporary world but also their deeds could shape a future world free from the incongruity of capitalism. Marx came up with a materialistic theory illustrating how the society they resided in but more so how the human beings could act in order to transform the society molded the human beings. In the case of Marx, alienation was not based on the faith or the mind as proposed by some of his predecessors such as Hegel and Feuerbach. Contrarily, Marx viewed alienation as materialistic. According to Marx, alienation meant the loss of power. Alienation is the social-psychological emotion of rift from job, from our colleagues, people, and self. Marx is of the opinion that alienation is entrenched in the capitalist style of production. The workers have to “reject the self, separating bodily activity from psychological life and not living as a full human being.” Work has turned out to become an enforced activity where individuals indulge to get their pay. Relationship between alienation and exploitation In order to understand the relationship between alienation and exploitation one has to distinguish between the augmentation of production because of the societal process and the increase of production because of capitalist exploitation. In both the handicraft and manufacture, the workers utilize some tools. However, the difference arises from the aspect that, in handicraft the worker is the ones who makes use of the tools. Machines are used to accomplish jobs in the factory. In the case of the factory, the worker is alienated, as he has to follow the movements of the machines Forms of alienation According to Marx’s manuscript (Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts) or commonly known as the 1844 or the Paris manuscripts, Marx recognized about four detailed ways alienation permeates the capitalist society. The workforce is alienated from the goods they produce as it belongs to other people. In many communities, people utilize their skills to produce goods that they can be able to use, sell or even exchange. Actually, most workers have ended up using their skills to make goods on things that they cannot afford. Some have build houses they cannot afford to live in, or even bought vehicles that they will never drive. Marx identified that most workers lacked control over the production process, Marx realized that most workers did not have a say on the way work was organized or the conditions in which they were to work. The work process has been proved not only to be beyond the reach of the workers, but also very hostile to the workers. Workers end up being treated as machines that can be able to work for long hours other than human beings. All people are alienated from fellow human beings; the alienation has been brought about by antagonism, which sprouts from the difference in social class. Workers are alienated from the people who exploit them for their labor. According to Ernst Fischer, people do not regard other people as fellow human beings, but as either superiors or subordinates. As a result, many workers have embraced the opinion that the superiors have more rights than them. Human nature also commonly referred to as “species being,” by Marx is the fourth form of alienation. One aspect that makes the human beings unique is the ability to transform the world they live in. The wealthy people in the community exploit the less fortunate in the society. They are exploited for cheap labor and at times even forced labor. According to Marx alienation is produced by definite social and economic conditions, he gives examples of how the social and economic conditions have brought about alienation in the community. He cited instances where people have high regards to people who are rich. Marx arguments concerning the aspect that alienation is because of social and economic conditions are convincing enough. 2) Application of Marxs theory of alienation to the conditions of workers at the Foxconn assembly plants in China Lately, China has turned out to be among the most favorite countries for most multi-million firms to set up shops and assembling facilities, these have been attributed to the technological advancement and the availability of labor. Actually, numerous job conditions complaints have been raced recently in Chinese firms. One such firm that has been faced with problems associated with poor working conditions is the Foxconn Technology Group. The firm produces iPad and iPhone. In the year 2010, it is alleged that about ten employees of the Foxconn Technology group committed suicide due to work-related problems. The issues that the workers in China have been complaining about can be attributed to four main aspects. The Chinese are well-known world over for their creative and innovations works. In reference to the Foxconn Technology group, the workers spent a lot of their time and energy to produce items such as ipads and iphones that they cannot afford to own. Most of the products manufactured at the Foxconn plant in China are for export to other countries. In that aspect the workers end up using their skills to create the iPhones and iPad that they will never use or own, this is due to the inadequate remuneration. The labor process in the Foxconn technology group is not under the control of the workers. Thus, most of the workers cannot dictate the terms and conditions of work (Swain 96). The lack of control has lead to most workers being subjected to long working hours. The workers cannot be able to dictate the wages that they receive, but have to be satisfied with the amount that the administration of the firm has put in place. At Foxconn technology group some very essential items needed in the workplace were missing, the workers were also being paid indigent wages that barely took care of their needs thus leading to some employees committing suicide. Due to the high number of employees committing suicide, the firm doubled the workers’ wages and put in place some amenities such as safety nets that were not in place before. Workers do not have the control the process of their work since they do not possess all the means that are necessary for the production of the goods. Some of the essential means of production include the companies or factories, the land that the plant is constructed, the necessary raw materials or any other thing that is required for the production of the goods. The entrepreneurs who have skills own all these means but paying workers to accomplish the job. The workers, therefore, have to work under the supervision of the entrepreneur, and they do not even have the right to own the finished product. Most workforce in China employed in the various firms are responsible for the production of the goods in their firms, without them, the firms cannot be able to earn revenue. However, most regard their superiors “super human beings.” In that aspect, the superiors subject most of them to a lot of work and less pay. In china, social class is paramount; the higher one is on the social ladder, the better (Swain 96). The self-alienation by the poor workers has lead to the entrepreneurs to take advantage of the workers at the Foxconn by giving them poor wages that can barely sustain all their needs. The nature of the human being has played a critical role in the Foxconn technology group, the firm primary aim is to make a lot of money by ensuring that it spends less on paying the workers. China is renowned all over the world for its industrious citizens and cheap labor. It is in this aspect that the majority of international companies have established manufacturing plants in China. The economic situation of the most workers has played a vital role in the alienation. The poor people in the community have been made to believe that the rich are the persons with the right to dictate the working conditions. To be able to solve a number of the concerns that bring about alienation there are some steps that need to be taken. Marx proposes that unity among the workers is paramount to ending some aspects of separation. Marx cites incidents where workers have resulted in coming together to form labor organizations to agitate for the common good of all the employees. Unfortunately, instead of the workers regarding as colleagues many view their workmates as potential competitors. By coming together, the workers will have some control in the various aspects regarding their jobs such as working conditions and remuneration. Marx proposes that workers should not see themselves as inferior human beings compared to their employers. They too have equal rights as the superiors and are allowed to the similar operational environment that the entrepreneurs are enjoying. Work Cited Swain, Dan. Alienation: An Introduction to Marxs Theory. London: Bookmarks, 2012. Print. Read More