Marxism and Feminism Theory - Essay Example

Marxism Marxism is considered to be one of the intellectual developments that have occurred in the history of mankind. Karl Marx, together with Friedrich Engels developed the said theoretical paradigm. Marxism focuses on the nature of economics and politics; particularly with the capitalism, its technicalities and effects on society. Marxism and Communism are considered to be aligned with each other. Engels and Marx, as exposed in their Communist Manifesto, focuses on the problems of capitalism, especially on how it provides inhuman working condition as manipulated by the bourgeoisie (1848: 1884, p. 769 – 773). In a general sense, the Marxism is a critique of culture and social order controlled by capitalism. At the same time, Marxism posits an attack towards the control and calls for a classless society where everyone is equal. Marxism, despite being one of the popular theories that existed in course of philosophical thought, carries certain advantages and disadvantages when it comes to use and application towards different societies. One of the advantages that Marxism offers is the institutionalization of humane working conditions that are not present in capitalist mode of production by allowing the control of the proletariat or the working class vis – a – vis the bourgeoisie (Engels and Marx 1848: 1884, p. 769 – 773). Another is the upholding of a classless society where oppression does not exist (Engels and Marx 1848: 1884, p. 769 – 773). On the other hand, the disadvantages of Marxism is its tendency for domination after defeating capitalism and the condition of Communism as an ideal state which is not achievable given the current situation of the world. In critically analyzing the theory, it is important to criticize both the advantages and the disadvantages that the theory offers. Regarding the advantages, it is worth note taking that workers are the one that sustains the businesses that allow the flow of capital and production in a certain country or society. By establishing human working conditions, inhumane treatments can be avoided. At the same time, there will benefits and advantages for the workers. Just compensation can be the assurance of a good workforce. Having the workforce control the mode of production is another assurance that the workings of businesses will always be in proper order and in a discipline condition. Another condition that is worth note taking is the way that Marxism provides a condition for the establishment of a society which is classless and is equal in stature. This would be a standard that allows equality in all aspects; whether it is political, economical or social basis. This is one of the good things that must be considered about Marxism since it allows a harmonious existence with people, regardless of race, culture and class. This also tries to encompass people across cultures. In terms of the disadvantages, this is where most of the contentions will come in. Capitalism dominated the order of things and placed Communism in a disadvantageous position. However, once Communism is attained, it is not guaranteed that equality will continue to flourish. There will definitely be instances where Communism, will definitely use force to keep thing in order and under it command. In this case, one cannot deny that Communism will be like capitalism where oppression will still exist and provide problematic conditions of engagement between the people and the rulers that maintain Communism under control. Next thing to consider is the Communism as an ideal state of things which cannot guarantee its prominence. Socialism may be close to it but it communism will not materialize due to difference in values and perceptions that one cannot disregard or undermine. The image on the left is a signification of how people are living out the ideals of Marxism. Class struggle is one of the principles of Marxism since it has shown the problematic connection between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. This relates to Marxism due to its innate nature of showing the right to organize and revolt to ensure that the needs of people are addressed. Rallies and protests are signs of living up the ideals of Marxism. This emphasizes the class struggle that must be won by the people who are oppressed by the capitalist social order. This would also rectify the dedication of the people towards the principles of Marxism to be upheld and lived out to maximize its capacity for the benefit of the majority. For someone who might be new to Marxism, the image might be taken for granted. People will just look at the image just a sign of expression and anger instead of a struggle. They might just see Marxism as a futile thing for them to be taken in to their lives since they have enjoyed too much the comforts that Capitalism has to offer for them. This kind of presupposition would just rectify their individualistic notions and tastes. This would even show that they are not willing to be part of the struggle that the Marxism tries to uphold. Thus, this image could trigger a relatively difficult condition for a totally new viewer since it has the capacity to question one’s values and sensibilities. In my case, there is a relatively different condition that I experienced upon seeing such an image. I am working on a relatively different paradigm since I do believe that there is something good about Marxism that must be carried out to ensure that the problems of the contemporary times are solved. However, I believe that there is something that must be changed to ensure that the society will benefit from it. For me, it appears that rally becomes too overrated and futile. To some extent, the use of it as a tool to air out problems is no longer sufficient to instil change. It has become quite tokenistic in that sense. There is nothing wrong about it. Even I have personal grievances. However, if people are constantly exposed to the same cycle of argumentation and repetitive in statements, then there will be not much support that will come from people who might be potential members to be included in the struggle. That is one of the problems I see with the images of rally. I do believe that there is nothing wrong being radical but there is nothing wrong either for the Marxist and Marxism to complement the status quo. If complementation will happen, then there is at least a guarantee that Marxism can enter the people’s consciousness and start the social change needed for a very long time. In contrast with the first image, the second focuses more on the image that signifies the struggle that people have been fighting who believed under the Marxist paradigm and political thought. The sickle and hammer are both embodiments of the peasantry and the worker, which are the components of the proletariat. This is considered to be one of the crucial materials about Marxism that must be carefully studied and assessed so that proper understanding and disenchantment of harsh notions about it are removed to enlighten people about the potential it can offer for the success of social change that people are vying for. At the same time, the image serves as an icon that shall serve as a reminder of the principles that must be carried in the fight for change. However, in the eyes of an ordinary individual who might be curious of what it is about or knows about it, varied reactions will come along the way. For those who do not know about it, they might be fascinated about it and inquire about what it means. This can be a chance for the radicals to invite this people who are curious to be part of the fight that they are pushing. On the other hand, those who have known it and have judgments accorded to it, no one can deny that several risks will come along the way. People will definitely have a hostile perception towards these people because Marxist radicals are most likely tagged as dangerous. At the same time, there are instances that people like them are treated enemies of the state. With such mindset, a danger comes in because this is normalized in the mindset of people. Stigma and prejudices come along the way. Harsh judgments cannot be disregarded or neglected. On a personal level, there seems to be more than the image that meets the eye. I want to analyze the image based on what I see. The sickle and the hammer, for me, would be an assertion of the natural conditions for humans to be hardworking and industrious. This would also mean that there is discipline for those who know how to work. I strongly believe that such mindset of the workers is a condition can be beneficial for the society since people will be aware of the responsibilities and rights accorded to them. At the same time, the red colour appeal differently. I consider it to be passionate and sincere. I can infer that passion and sincerity are keys to producing a good quality of work. In the manner of connecting it to Marxism, I can say that things have to be done passionately to ensure the success of it. At the same time, cooperation with others who share the same plight as one experiences can be a key to make people work in a group without any harsh conditions or problems due to being disciplined and hardworking. These are considered to be crucial things about Marxism that one must understand. At the same time, I have exposed certain points which can be a good start to enrich the discussion about what it can contribute and not contribute to the people. Marxism is a social critique that can provide a reasonable explanation of how things work in our society. To see its significance is to understand its aim, principles and goals. REFERENCES Marx, K. & Friedrich Engels. (1848 – 1884). Communist Manifesto. Leitch, Vincent ed. Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism pp. 769 – 773. Marxism 2009. Guardian. Guardian.co.uk. accessed 29 May 2012. Communist symbol. Vanguard News. Vnnforum.com accessed 29 May 2012. Name Name of Professor Subject Date Feminism Feminism is a result of the radical changes in the order of things in society especially when women, a major group in society, stood up against the interventions and impositions made by the patriarchal conventions that have existed in society. Feminism cannot be classified under one banner of standards due to its several scope and attacks that have made in the society including the arts and sexism (Leitch 2001, p. 23). However, the main point of the emergence of Feminism is the very act of deconstructing the social structures and places the role of women in the workings of the institutions manipulated by men (Leitch 2001, p. 23). This is considered to be one of the greatest breakthroughs since Feminism tries to engage the problematic conditions of patriarchy like the gaze and sexual stereotyping. Analytically, this can be considered to have filled the gaps of Marxism in terms of a radical approach in social structures due to the condition that Marx made no explicit mentioning of the problem associated with gender. There are certain things that must be engaged and analyzed regarding feminism. There are certain advantages and disadvantages about it. One advantage that it offers is the questioning and intervening of the patriarchal impositions that are present in the society upon the institutionalization of structure that act in accordance with the male ego (Leitch 2001, p. 24). Another advantage it offers is its capacity to make the status of sexes and genders equal in all aspects, which can attack the sexist judgments that come along the way. On the other hand, feminism will still have disadvantages. One is the possible shifting of attitude towards role, identity and function in society. Another would be is the suppression made by patriarchal conventions to discredit the triumphs of Feminism. This is something that cannot be considered unavoidable due to a strong influence of it towards calling a stance against the normalized patriarchal norm. In addressing the complexity of Feminism, there is a need to thoroughly engage the advantage and disadvantages that comes with it. The questioning and intervention made by the feminists is already a manner of going against of the abusive conditions that have come along the way in the lives of women brought upon by men. Women have not been treated in a rightful and respectable manner. In most cases, women served as servants and toys of men to satisfy their personal interest whether it is physically or sexually. This has been the cases that women experienced in the hands of men. Feminism provided a reason for women to stand against men’s abusive actions. Another commendable condition is that feminism tries to resolve the problems of gender and sex stereotyping that did not yield any positive effects. Instead, it has inflicted psychological and emotional damages towards women. This is something that feminist tries to prevent because women have been oppressed for a very long time. There is now a need to attend to their conditions and predicaments to at least alleviate the uneasiness that they are experiencing whenever men try to impose and hurt women. The disadvantage would mean a shift in values and norms about women which is not easy to deal with. It is not even safe enough to say that all women can be accepting of the ideals and motives of the feminist movement. There will be instances the women would rather adhere to the patriarchal convention due to concerns that they have to attend to like raising children and taking care of family. In this case, feminist indeed clashes with the structure of society. It is countering the normalized conventions. In this case, two extreme choices are considered to be of conflict with each other that can make a situation relatively difficult for women to deal with. Another one that must be considered is that there will be oppression towards the movement due to a need in maintain the socio – political order under the control of men. This is still one thing that is considered to be a formidable opponent of the feminists. It cannot be denied that dealing with patriarchy is not easy due to its extreme influence and control that can extend to almost all people regardless of status due to being normalized in the society. The image on the right shows Feminism as a form of social struggle. This kind of struggle shows a parallelism towards the Marxist thought due to the need in changing the society to make it a better place for everyone regardless of gender and class. Equality, in the case of Feminism and Marxism, is crucial. This can be considered as the meeting point of both paradigms. This can be considered as an allied theory because Feminism touches gender which is a part of social structure that Marx has neglected in his manner of inquiry about inequality. The image relates very well to theory because it tries to justify the need for women to be recognized and treated as a human being and not just as a tool of man that can be suppressed, used and undermined. This is something that can be considered a signifier of what it means to be a woman who fights in a principled manner and not just for the sake of being respected but being treated humanely and of equal status. For a different viewer, this image might be a little bit new or something that can be considered as a threat. For a man who is aware of feminism, this might be offensive due to an assertion of women being headstrong. This happens to be so because men are used to take care and suppress women; put them under their command and make them follow orders. This is the problematic because women try to compete or act in the same manner as men. Women are no longer confined with the limits set by men but start to use the status of men as a reason to be more respectable and dignified. This is where delineation between respect and dignity for women comes in. Men might respect women because they are just women. They might not recognize the dignity of women as human capable of doing the responsibilities those men can do. Thus, this would signify the clash between what is important: is it respect for women or dignity for women? In my personal view, I do believe that a woman’s dignity must not be conferred by men but be respected by men at the start of time. Everyone is equal, in my honest opinion. However, I find it problematic for men not to recognize the significance of women. Women are still humans. Practically, they are the same as men: humans with dignity and respect. I find it quite unreasonable and stupid for women to demand that they be respected equally when at the very start they should have been. Nevertheless, it is patriarchy that made them resist the problematic conditions because of the futile acts that has affected women in a grave manner. The next image, on the left, is another assertion of how Feminism works. In this case, artworks now play a crucial role where one can understand how Feminism works. This image is another assertion that Feminist must fight. At the same time, the attempt for equality made by the feminist tries can be achieved properly and accordingly in due time. These kind of images are used to rectify the need to recognize that women are capable of doing something more than that of what is prescribed to them. The image, for an ordinary might see that this is just an ordinary comic strip, which can be considered as part of popular culture. There is even a possible interpretation that the image might be an association with lesbianism due to an attempt in showing that women can be totally like men. Whilst the brevity of the political message that image possesses that can contribute to the recognition of feminism, there is still a downside where people, more particular, men, might see this image as a rectification of the lesbian culture which is problematic because it has a different scope and intricacies. At the same time, the image tries to show that in order for women to be respected, they have to be like men. In a personal perspective, what I find problematic is that image does not really uphold feminism. Feminism cannot be equated to a mere flexing of muscles. This would just show that women cannot stand on theirs. This kind of image, in my opinion, would work in favour of patriarchy because the very act is a sign that signifies the male ego. It is something that cannot be considered to be part of female ego. At the same time, I believe that feminism can be successful and have been successful without using the male ego. It is just a matter working what it truly means being a woman in the perspective of a woman and not in the perspective of a man. Also, the patriarchal convention may have been used by women but the good side of it, in my opinion, is the way it has been reoriented accordingly to the perspective of women. That will still be the most important thing in the end. It is a matter of making women of equal status. It is not just men who can gaze women. Even women can do the same thing. It is not just women that can be objectified by men. Women can do the same thing. This can be considered as a shift in paradigms and conventions when it comes to gender norms and values. I do even believed that the fight for women against sexual discrimination and biased are not confined to them alone but also extend to the right and aspiration of other gender minorities which have been victims of patriarchy. In the end, Feminism, together with Marxism, is a paradigm of social criticism, reflection and change to ensure that things will go well and in good status. The loss of equality can now be attained. Equality cannot be absolute and encompassing. It is a matter of ensuring how one will attain an equal status in a society in terms of class and gender which have been criticized and carefully attacked by the radicals whose aims are to make the work oppression free and fair to all. REFERENCES Leitch, Vincent (2001). Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. London: W.W. Norton. Symbol of Feminism. ProProf. Proprofs.com. accessed 29 May 2012. Rosie Riveter. WFU. Humanitiesinstitute.wfu.edu. accessed 29 May 2012. Read More