Sociology: Karl Marx - Assignment Example

Sociology: Karl Marx. Question Marxist theory identifies the term proletariat to refer to the lower cadres working members of the society who have got very little control over the factors of production. All that they can bring to the table is their skills and ability to deliver on a certain task. For the sake of the proletariat own existence and sustenance, they opt to sell this skill and ability for a wage. According to Marx, the proletariat are a likely revolutionary class because they have very little to lose in the current capitalistic economic set up. After all they do not own or control any means of production. According to Marx, capitalism mostly entails the exploitation of the proletariat by the members of the higher social classes namely the bourgeoise. The presence of class struggle explains how easy it is for the members of the proletariat to institute social change. During industrial strikes, a definite act of class struggle, members of the proletariat class are normally united and they can easily take a common front yet some of them are evidently unsure of their social class of why they are even partaking in the strike in the first instance. Other social groups hold some potential to bring the desired social change but such potential is yet to be achieved. This is because they deem themselves to be very comfortable with the current social set up which has been largely responsible for their social status. The bourgeoisie for example own the factors of production and they are responsible for paying the wages to the proletariat. The intermediate position between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, commonly known as the middle class, is often split between instituting social change and supporting the status quo. The members of the intermediate class normally receive a wage or salary from an employer but they combine this with self-employment in a venture where they have hired a few members of the proletariat to work for them. For example a teacher could also own a farm where he or she has employed a few farm hands to offer their services at the farm on a wage. The members of this class are torn between the hope of one day breaking into the bourgeoisie classification and the frustration that comes with still serving as a proletariat. The bourgeoisie on the other hand are content with the current social set up. They are rich and wealthy. They own all the means of production. If anything, they are likely to resist any form of social change that would interfere with the status quo. They won’t hesitate to deploy the instruments of power which are at their disposal to ensure that the proposed social change does not see the light of day. In the twenty first century, this has been evidenced by the increasing tendency of the members of the middle class to take to social media to make an attempt to air their dissatisfaction with the ills that are happening to the society. However, when they are called upon to take on the streets and conduct mass action to take on their grievances, very few respond positively. Compared to the era of the civil rights movements where “a million man march” meant exactly that and everybody took to the streets regardless of their class to pursue social change. Question 2 It is unreasonable to commence the social analysis of the society with economic standing as the basis of such an analysis as opposed to the society’s superstructure. According to Marx, the superstructure denotes the popular, dominating ideologies in the various spheres of the society during a particular era. Such things as morality, laws, and politics constitute some of the aspects of the super structure. It is as a result of the society’s superstructure that economic undertaking gained so much superiority as opposed to other forms of social engagement that a man can participate in during his or her stay on earth. The laws, religion, morality and politics are structured in a manner where only those who are well heeled economically can easier rise to a position of influence. A good example can be drawn from the current political set up where most successful politicians and businessmen claim an association with an Ivy League college. These universities are by no means cheap but such politicians and businessmen still amass so much publicity and credibility due to their association with the prestigious and expensive institution. A similar structure is replicated in the law firms where attending certain prestigious institutions is deemed as a sure ticket through the door. If the society was to vary its perception of the superstructure, then the social analysis script will quickly change to follow suit. Just imagine if laws and legislations were put in place to guarantee that the president of the United Stated must come from a poor background or even the Supreme Court Judges. It is on the basis of the superstructure that economic relevance is founded. Hence, it will be foolhardy to start a social analysis purely from an economic angle without factoring the society’s superstructure. Question 3 Alienation and historical materialism are still applicable in the 21st century only that social relations do not follow the traditional models. Families have grown even smaller reducing the traditional dependency as the various members set out to chart their own course. The workers are still alienated and they are just deemed to be input factors of production that are meant to work to continue enriching their employers. However, there exist notable efforts to reach out to the employees in the twenty first century. Nowadays, corporates have started to acknowledge that indeed their employees are their most worthy assets and not plant and machinery. Employee insurance programs and other aspects of employee welfare continue to improve. Some twenty first century companies like Google have even gone as far as providing nanny services to their employees. Other efforts like employee share ownership plans have also been put in place to ensure that alienation is reduced since the employees can now easily become owners of the company and have a say in the control of production input and output. However, alienation still exists. A good example is the twenty first century sweat shops in Asia. Read More