Diana Menna

08 February 2013
Soc 471
Prof Braa
Take Home Exam 2
T!e "!i#o$o"!ica# foun%a&ion' or "!i#o$o"!ica# "rob#ema&ic of Marx($ !i$&orica# ma&eria#i$m #ie$
)i&!in &)o $"!ere$* on&o#o+y an% e"i$&emo#o+y,
T!e on&o#o+ica# -ue$&ion "ro"o$e% by Marx i$' what makes us homo sapien. /r' what makes us
what we are? What is our essence? Four c!arac&eri$&ic$ %efine u$ bio#o+ica##y a$ !omo $a"ien an% &!ey
are* bi"e%a#i$m' o""o$ab#e &!umb$' bi+ brain$ an% #an+ua+e, T!e$e c!arac&eri$&ic$ !e#" u$ &ran$form
na&ure &o mee& our nee%$ in &!e form of #abor, T!erefore' accor%in+ &o Marx' )e are !omo $a"ien an%
%iffer from o&!er anima#$ becau$e )e #abor, 0Braa1 Marx an% En+e#$ )ro&e'2T!ey &!em$e#3e$ 4!omo
$a"ien$5 be+in &o %i$&in+ui$! &!em$e#3e$ from anima#$ a$ $oon a$ &!ey be+in &o "ro%uce &!eir mean$ of
$ub$i$&ence,6 0D(7ma&o1
Fur&!er %e$cribin+ Marx($ on&o#o+ica# -ue$&ion' Pau# D(7ma&o $ay$' 2/ur "ecu#iar bio#o+ica#
in!eri&ance 8 in "ar&icu#ar' our u"ri+!& +ai&' #ar+er brain $i9e' o""o$ab#e &!umb$' an% &!e ca"aci&y for
#an+ua+e 8 +a3e u$ &!e abi#i&y &o make &oo#$ &o mani"u#a&e our en3ironmen& coo"era&i3e#y an% &o "a$$
&!o$e $ki##$ on &o our off$"rin+, Human$ can make fur coa&$' bui#% $!e#&er' an% ca&c!' +ro)' an% cook
foo%: ie' )e can crea&e &!e &!in+$ na&ure %i% no& "!y$ica##y en%o) u$ )i&!' &!in+$ &!a& a##o) u$ &o
ex"#oi& 3ir&ua##y e3ery en3ironmen& on &!e "#ane&,6 0D(7ma&o1 T!erefore' a %ia#ec&ica# re#a&ion$!i" i$
crea&e% be&)een na&ure an% mankin% an% an e3o#u&ion occur$: )!a& bio#o+ica##y make$ u$ !uman )ork$
&o &ran$form &!e &oo#$ )e u$e &o #abor' an% a$ &!e &oo#$ )e u$e e3o#3e from $im"#e &o com"#ex' &!en
)!a& bio#o+ica##y make$ u$ !uman i$ &ran$forme%, 0Braa1
T!e $econ% -ue$&ion "o$e% by Marx i$ e"i$&emo#o+ica# an% a$k$' how do we know what we
know? What is the basis for consciousness? 7ccor%in+ &o Marx' )e fin% #ife ex"erience &!rou+!
in&erac&in+ )i&! ex&erna#i&ie$ by &ran$formin+ na&ure an% #aborin+' an% &!rou+! &!e ex"erience of #abor
con$ciou$ne$$ i$ crea&e% an% form$ &!e ba$i$ of our ex"erience, 7ccor%in+ &o Marx &!en' )e a$ $ub;ec&$
come &o kno) ob;ec&$ or &!e )or#% ou&$i%e of u$' by #abor )!ic! crea&e$ in u$ con$ciou$ne$$ an% +i3e$
u$ our !uman e$$ence, 0Braa1
7ccor%in+ &o Marx($ !i$&orica# ma&eria#i$m' &!e )ay $ocie&y "ro%uce$ $ur"#u$' re#a&ion$!i"$' an%
"roce%ure$ +oin+ in&o "ro%uc&ion )i## inf#uence an% $!a"e &!e en&ire $ocie&y an% become$ &!e $ocia#
e$$ence, 2T!e !uman e$$ence i$ no ab$&rac&ion in!eren& in eac! $in+#e in%i3i%ua#, <n i&$ rea#i&y i& i$ &!e
en$emb#e of $ocia# re#a&ion$!i"$,6 0=or$#ey1 <n or%er &o $ur3i3e' mankin% &ran$form$ na&ure an% in $o
%oin+' na&ure &ran$form$ mankin% in a %ia#ec&ica# re#a&ion$!i", Sur3i3a# i$ con&in+en& u"on #earnin+
!o) &o be $ocia# a$ !uman #abor !a$ ne3er been in i$o#a&ion, 7n exam"#e of &!i$ i$ !un&er an% +a&!erer
$ocie&ie$ )!o main&aine% $ymbio$i$ by #aborin+ &o+e&!er a$ $ocie&ie$, 0Braa1 T!erefore' Marx($
on&o#o+ica# an% e"i$&emo#o+ica# "!i#o$o"!y are connec&e% &o !i$ $ocio#o+y in &!a& Marx be#ie3e$ &!a&
#abor i$ )!a& %efine$ our e$$ence an% &!e ba$i$ of our ex"erience' an% #abor i$ %e&ermine% an% crea&e%
&!rou+! &!e re#a&ion$!i"$ an% mo%e of "ro%uc&ion &!a& $ocie&ie$ crea&e, 7ccor%in+#y' in or%er &o
effec&i3e#y ex"#ain &!e $ocia# an% co##ec&i3e be!a3ior of a $ocie&y' one mu$& $&u%y !o) a +i3en $ocie&y
#abor$ an% !o) &!ey or+ani9e &!em$e#3e$ &o "ro%uce )!a& e3eryone )i&!in &!a& $ocie&y nee%$,
Ma&eria#i$m accor%in+ &o Marx($ %efini&ion i$ &!a& kno)#e%+e i$ ba$e% on ex"erience an% ex"erience i$
encoun&erin+ na&ure an% &ran$formin+ i&, Ma&eria#i$m in &o%ay($ ca"i&a#i$& $ocie&y &ran$#a&e$ in&o &!o$e
)!o mu$& $e## &!eir #abor in or%er &o buy commo%i&ie$ for $ur3i3a# an% &!o$e )!o buy &!a& #abor, 0Braa1
Marx be#ie3e% &!a& in or%er &o $&u%y a $ocie&y' one mu$& ana#y9e &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion )i&!in
&!a& $ocie&y' or $"ecia##y' &!e re#a&ion$ in &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion, Before any&!in+ can be accom"#i$!e%
in $ocie&y $uc! a$ recrea&ion' e%uca&ion' e&c' $ocie&y mu$& "ro%uce &!e ba$ic nece$$i&ie$ re-ui$i&e &o
fu#fi## &!e fun%amen&a# nee%$ of &!e "eo"#e, T!e )ay &!a& $ocie&ie$ or+ani9e an% $&ra&e+i9e &!eir #abor
an% &!e "roce$$e$ &!ey %e3e#o" &o "ro%uce &!e ba$ic nee%$ of $ocie&y i$ &!eir mo%e of "ro%uc&ion, 0Braa1
7ccor%in+ &o Marx' &!e e3o#u&ion of a $ocie&y from $im"#e &o com"#ex can be ex"#aine% in &!e
c!an+e$ an% a%a"&a&ion$ in &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion, 7$ ne) &ec!no#o+y emer+e$ in &!e mo%e of
"ro%uc&ion $ocie&y be+in$ &o c!an+e, 7ccor%in+ &o &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion %e&ermini$m' )!a&
%e&ermine$ on+oin+ e3o#u&ion in $ocie&y i$ c!an+e$ in &!e re#a&ion$ of "ro%uc&ion' or a$ Marx $u++e$&$'
&!e 2c#a$$6 re#a&ion$ of "ro%uc&ion, 0Braa1
<n%ian$ of &!e P#ain$ !a% a &riba# mo%e of "ro%uc&ion: &!e ba$ic )ay &!ey or+ani9e% &!eir #abor
)a$ "a&ra#inea##y &riba#' or a #inea+e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion, <n &!e &riba# $y$&em' &!e &ribe communa##y
o)ne% &!e force$ of #abor, Durin+ &!e &ime of >u#iu$ ?ae$ar' $#a3e$ an% commoner$ kno)n a$ "#ebian$
)orke% e$&a&e$' or #a&ifun%ia' o)ne% by an e#i&e c#a$$ of "a&rician$, T!i$ $y$&em )a$ a #a&ifun%ia mo%e
of "ro%uc&ion in )!ic! &!e "a&rician$ o)ne% a## of &!e force$ of #abor an% &!e "rofi&$ &!a& re$u#&e% from
i&, 2?a"i&a#i$& en&er"ri$e$' )!ere "rofi&$ )ere %eri3e% from $e##in+ +oo% "ro%uce% by )orker$ !ire% &o
%o &!e )ork' !a% in%ee% exi$&e% e3en in ancien& @ome,6 0=or$e#y1 Marxi$& ana#y$i$ inc#u%e$ $"ecifyin+
!o) mo%e$ of "ro%uc&ion$ #ike &!e <n%ian$ of &!e P#ain$ an% &!e @oman$ )orke% %urin+ &!eir &ime$ an%
un%er$&an%in+ !o) &!e "eo"#e or+ani9e% an% "ro%uce% &!eir #abor, Mo$& im"or&an&#y &o !im i$ &!e
ana#y$i$ of &!e o)ner$!i" of &!e force$ of "ro%uc&ion' )!ic! i$ &!e ba$i$ of )ea#&! an% "o#i&ica# "o)er,
0Braa1
Marx %efine$ &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion a$ &!e force$ of "ro%uc&ion an% &!e re#a&ion$ of
"ro%uc&ion, <n &!i$' Marx main&ain$ &!a& $ocie&ie$ can be ana#y9e%, T!e force$ of "ro%uc&ion inc#u%e
ob;ec&$ $uc! a$ #an%' &oo#$' robo&$' e&c, an% $ub;ec&$ $uc! a$ &ree$' car$' e#ec&ronic$' e&c, &!a& are
&ran$forme% by &!e ob;ec&$ of "ro%uc&ion, Force$ of "ro%uc&ion inc#u%e $ki##$' kno)#e%+e an% %i3i$ion$
of #abor' or )!a&e3er i$ %irec&#y in3o#3e% or nece$$ary &o a""#y force &o "ro%uc&ion, T!e re#a&ion$ of
"ro%uc&ion inc#u%e &!e re#a&ion$!i" &!a& %e&ermine$ )!o con&ro#$ &!e force$ of "ro%uc&ion an% &!e
exc!an+e &!a& &ake$ "#ace be&)een &!o$e )!o buy #abor an% &!o$e )!o $e## &!eir #abor, 0Braa1 T!e
re#a&ion$ of "ro%uc&ion )i## %eci%e )!o +e&$ )!a&: )!o +e&$ &!e 3a#ue, T!e buyer$ of #abor o)n &!e
force$ of "ro%uc&ion' or ca"i&a#' an% &!o$e )!o $e## &!eir #abor %o $o becau$e &!ey %o no& o)n &!e force$
of #abor, 0Braa1
Mo$& $ocie&ie$ !a3e 3ariou$ mo%e$ of "ro%uc&ion' !o)e3er' mo$& !a3e a %ominan& mo%e of
"ro%uc&ion an% &!e ca"i&a#i$& mo%e of "ro%uc&ion i$ &!e %ominan& one of $ocie&y in &!i$ e"oc!, T!e #e3e#
of %e3e#o"men& of "ro%uc&ion i$ &e##in+ of a $ocie&y: $o"!i$&ica&e% %e3e#o"men& #ike#y in%ica&e$ a !i+!
$&an%ar% of #i3in+' )!erea$' un$o"!i$&ica&e% %e3e#o"men& #ike#y in%ica&e$ a #o)er $&an%ar% of #i3in+,
Ma$$ "ro%uc&ion of +oo%$ an% $er3ice$ i$ a#$o an in%ica&or of a !i+!er $&an%ar% of #i3in+ becau$e i&
in%ica&e$ ma$$ con$umeri$m by &!e $ocie&y, 0Braa1
T!e $ocia# re#a&ion$!i"$ of "ro%uc&ion crea&e &)o $i+nifican& c#a$$e$ of $ocie&y be&)een )!a&
Marx ca##e% &!e ex"#oi&er$' or &!o$e )!o buy #abor' an% &!e ex"#oi&e%' &!o$e )!o $e## &!eir #abor' )!ic!
crea&e$ &!e $&ra&ifica&ion of $ocie&y a$ )e $ee i& &o%ay be&)een &!e e#i&e an% &!e )orkin+ c#a$$, /nce &!e
$ocia# re#a&ion$ of "ro%uc&ion are i%en&ifie% &!en i& become$ c#ear !o) in%i3i%ua#$ are ranke% )i&!in
&!a& $ocie&y by &!eir income' )ea#&!' an% "o)er an% &!e rea$on$ of ine-ua#i&y become increa$in+#y
c#ear, =a+e #abor re#a&ion$!i"$ are en&ere% in&o be&)een &!e buyer$ of #abor an% &!e $e##er$ an% i& i$ a
re#a&ion$!i" in )!ic! &!o$e )!o %o no& o)n ca"i&a# !a3e no con&ro#, <n &o%ay($ $ocie&y' &!e ca"i&a#i$&
re#a&ion$!i" of "ro%uc&ion i$ &!e )a+e #abor re#a&ion$!i"' an% from &!i$ re#a&ion$!i" &)o im"or&an&
c#a$$e$ are crea&e* &!o$e )!o o)n ca"i&a#' or ca"i&a#i$&$' an% &!o$e )!o %o no& o)n ca"i&a#' or &!e
)orkin+ c#a$$, 0Braa1 2To Marx' &!e re#a&ion$!i" be&)een em"#oyer an% )orker$' &!en' )a$ by no
mean$ one of mu&ua# a%3an&a+e or of com"#emen&ary (con&ribu&ion( &o a ;oin& ac&i3i&y, <& )a$ an
a$ymme&rica# re#a&ion$!i" of ex"#oi&a&ion, 7## )orker$' )!a&e3er "ar&icu#ar fac&ory or branc! of
in%u$&ry &!ey )orke% in' )ere ex"#oi&e% an% &!erefore con$&i&u&e% a ca&e+ory* a $ocia# c#a$$ of ex"#oi&e%
"ro%ucer$, T!e bour+eoi$ie 0ca"i&a#i$&$1 e-ua##y ;oin&#y con$&i&u&e% a c#a$$ of ex"#oi&er$,6 0=or$e#y1
7ccor%in+ &o Marx' 2&!e )ri&er$ of !i$&ory !a3e $o far "ai% 3ery #i&&#e a&&en&ion &o &!e
%e3e#o"men& of ma&eria# "ro%uc&ion' )!ic! i$ &!e ba$i$ of a## $ocia# #ife' an% &!erefore rea# !i$&ory,6
0D(7ma&o1 Marx be#ie3e% &!a& i& i$ 2)!a& in$&rumen&$ of #abor ,, %i$&in+ui$!e$ %ifferen& economic
e"oc!$,6 0D(7ma&o1 Marx be#ie3e% &!a& from 2&!e !i$&ory of a## !i&!er&o exi$&in+ $ocie&y i$ &!e !i$&ory
of c#a$$ $&ru++#e,6 0Marx1 7ccor%in+#y' !e be#ie3e% &!a& an&a+oni$&ic c#a$$e$ of "eo"#e$ !a3e exi$&e%
!i$&orica##y be&)een 2o""re$$or an% o""re$$e%6 0Marx1 becau$e &!ere !a$ a#)ay$ been e#i&i$&$ &!a& o)n
&!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion an% a c#a$$ of )orker$, T!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion' accor%in+ &o Marx' i$ &!e ba$i$
of c#a$$ an% c#a$$ in&ere$&$, T!e c#a$$ &!a& o)n$ &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion crea&e$ an% %omina&e$
+o3ernmen& in or%er &o $er3e &!eir c#a$$ in&ere$&$, <n &o%ay($ ca"i&a#i$& $ocie&y' &!e c#a$$ in&ere$&$ of
&!o$e )!o o)n #abor inc#u%e maximi9in+ &!eir "rofi&$ an% )i## %o any&!in+ &o %o $o, T!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$
or+ani9e$ an% $&ru++#e$ for )!a& &!ey )an& )!ic! i$ a#)ay$ u#&ima&e#y &!e maximi9a&ion of &!eir
"rofi&$, T!e )orkin+ c#a$$ in&ere$&$ are %iame&rica##y o""o$e% &o &!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$, T!eir in&ere$&$
inc#u%e a #i3in+ )a+e' +oo% benefi&$' a $afe )ork en3ironmen&' )eeken%$' e&c, =orkin+ c#a$$ in&ere$&$
%o no& $u""or& &!e maximi9a&ion of "rofi&$ &!a& %ri3e$ &!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$ an% &!erefore &!e in&ere$&$ of
bo&! c#a$$e$ are fun%amen&a##y con&ra%ic&ory an% &!ey c#a$!' crea&in+ c#a$$ $&ru++#e$ )!erein eac! c#a$$
mu$& fi+!& eac! o&!er for )!a& &!ey )an&, 0Braa1
T!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion ei&!er %irec&#y or in%irec&#y $!a"e$ an% inf#uence$ $ome &!in+$ ou&$i%e
of i&$e#f, =!a&e3er in $ocie&y i$ %irec&#y inf#uence% by &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion i$ ca##e% &!e
$u"er$&ruc&ure' or &!e mo%e of re"ro%uc&ion, 0Braa1 2<n &!e $ocia# "ro%uc&ion of &!eir exi$&ence' men
ine3i&ab#y en&er in&o %efini&e re#a&ion$' )!ic! are in%e"en%en& of &!eir )i##' name#y re#a&ion$ of
"ro%uc&ion a""ro"ria&e &o a +i3en $&a+e in &!e %e3e#o"men& of &!eir ma&eria# force$ of "ro%uc&ion, T!e
&o&a#i&y of &!e$e re#a&ion$ of "ro%uc&ion con$&i&u&e$ &!e economic $&ruc&ure of $ocie&y' &!e rea#
foun%a&ion' on )!ic! ari$e$ a #e+a# an% "o#i&ica# $u"er$&ruc&ure an% &o )!ic! corre$"on% %efini&e form$
of $ocia# con$ciou$ne$$,6 0Marx1 T!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion of a $ocie&y $!a"e$ &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure
"o#i&ica##y' i%eo#o+ica##y an% cu#&ura##y an% in &urn &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure $!a"e$ &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion,
T!i$ conce"& i$ kno)n a$ $&ruc&ura# corre$"on%ence, 0Braa1
7ccor%in+ &o Marx' &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion of a +i3en $ocie&y i$ &!e infra$&ruc&ure )!ic!
"ro3i%e$ &!e ba$e for &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure, T!e $u"er$&ruc&ure of &o%ay i$ com"o$e% of e#emen&$ of $ocie&y
$uc! a$ "o#i&y' i%eo#o+y' an% cu#&ure )!ic! are %irec&#y inf#uence% by &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion o)ne% by
&!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$ an% &!e$e e#emen&$ of &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure are in &urn u$e% &o $er3e &!e c#a$$ in&ere$&$
of &!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$ in a %ia#ec&ica# re#a&ion$!i", T!e ba$ic ar+umen& i$ &!a& "eo"#e )i## or+ani9e in
3ariou$ )ay$ &o "ur$ue &!eir c#a$$ in&ere$&$, 7ccor%in+ &o Marx' in%i3i%ua#$ )i## or+ani9e an% "ur$ue
&!eir c#a$$ in&ere$&$' %e&ermine% by &!eir re#a&ion$ in "ro%uc&ion' in or%er &o maximi9e &!eir ma&eria#
in&ere$&$ an% &!e o"&ima# con%i&ion$ of &!eir #i3e#i!oo%' an% in $o "ur$uin+' &!ey )i## $!a"e "o#i&ic$ an%
+o3ernmen&' i%eo#o+ie$ an% be#ief$ $y$&em$' an% cu#&ure$, T!erefore' c#a$$ $!a"e$ i%eo#o+ie$ an%
in%i3i%ua#$ &en% &o !a3e i%eo#o+ie$ &!a& "romo&e &!eir c#a$$ in&ere$&$, 0Braa1
T!e fi%uciary re$"on$ibi#i&y of &!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$ an% &!eir "rimary c#a$$ in&ere$& i$ &o maximi9e
&!eir "rofi&$ in or%er &o +ain a$&ronomica# "er$ona# bonu$e$ an% benefi&$ for &!em$e#3e$, Becau$e of &!i$
%omina&in+ c#a$$ in&ere$&' ca"i&a#i$&$ crea&e i%eo#o+ie$ &!a& "romo&e &!e +rea&ne$$ of #ai$$e9 faire' free
marke& an% free &ra%e in or%er &o #e+i&imi9e &!eir ex"#oi&a&ion of )orker$ +#oba##y, Some of &!e$e
i%eo#o+ie$ inc#u%e' 2free marke& i$ free%om for a##6 an% 2free marke& i$ %emocra&ic6 an% are in&en%e% &o
kee" $ocie&y en$#a3e% &o &!e ca"i&a#i$& a+en%a by makin+ &!em be#ie3e &!a& i& i$ for &!eir benefi&,
?a"i&a#i$& c#a$$ i%eo#o+ie$ %omina&e our e%uca&ion $y$&em$' &!e me%ia' e&c an% in%i3i%ua#$ are &au+!&
from youn+ a+e$ &o no& on#y be#ie3e ru#in+ c#a$$ r!e&oric' bu& &o $u""or& an% "romo&e i&, 2Bu& 4Marx5 ,,
in$i$&e% &!a& &!e ru#in+ c#a$$ )ou#% a#$o u$e &!e cu#&ura# mac!inery of cour&$' c!urc!' "ub#ic e%uca&ion
an% communica&ion$ $y$&em$ &o "u& o3er i%eo#o+ica# ;u$&ifica&ion$ of ine-ua#i&y in or%er &o "er$ua%e &!e
ma$$ of &!e "eo"#e &o $u""or& &!e $y$&em or &o neu&ra#i9e "o&en&ia# o""o$i&ion* a& &!e 3ery #ea$& &o en$ure
ac-uie$cence,6 0=or$#ey1 <n &!i$ )ay' ru#in+ c#a$$ i%eo#o+y i$ "er"e&ra&e% by &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure, 0Braa1
?#a$$ in&ere$&$ in&rin$ica##y $!a"e +o3ernmen& an% &!o$e )i&! &!e mo$& money !a3e &!e mo$&
"o)er a$ 2money &a#k$,6 7$ &!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$ !a$ &!e mo$& money' &!eir in&ere$&$ %omina&e
+o3ernmen&, <n or%er &o en$ure &!eir a#mo$& com"#e&e free%om &o %o )!a& &!ey )i##' ca"i&a#i$&$ buy
"o#i&y by con&ribu&in+ &o cam"ai+n fun%$' #obbyi$&$' an% $"ecia# in&ere$& +rou"$, 0Braa1 27$ #on+ a$
+o3ernmen& i$ run in a )ay &!a& %oe$ no& in&erfere )i&! 4ca"i&a#i$&5 in&ere$&$' &!e 4ca"i&a#i$&$5 %o no&
nee% &o +o in&o "o#i&ic$ or a%mini$&ra&ion &!em$e#3e$* $omeone e#$e can $ee &o &!a& )!i#e &!ey +e& on
)i&! makin+ money,6 0=or$#ey1 Ao3ernmen& "ro&ec&$ &!e in&ere$&$ of ca"i&a#i$m in or%er &o "ro&ec& &!eir
o)n in&ere$&$ a$ "ar& of &!e %ia#ec&ica# re#a&ion$!i" be&)een &!o$e )!o con&ro# &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion
in &!e infra$&ruc&ure an% &!o$e &!ey con&ro# in &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure, Bar+e $ca#e cor"ora&e buy ou&$ an%
#a)$ "ro&ec&in+ bu$ine$$ o3er )orker$' a$ )e## a$ i%eo#o+y crea&e% by &!e ru#in+ c#a$$ an% $"ou&e% by
&!e i+noran&' are exam"#e$ of !o) &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure !e#"$ &o re"ro%uce &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion by
en$urin+ &!a& ca"i&a#i$m can &!ri3e an% con&inue &o ru#e $ocie&y, <n &!i$ )ay' "o#i&y re"ro%uce$
ca"i&a#i$m an% ca"i&a#i$m re"ro%uce$ "o#i&y, 0Braa1
7#&!ou+! ca"i&a#i$&$ %o no& con&ro# e3ery&!in+ )i&!in &!e +o3ernmen&' bi+ money "o#icie$
+enera##y fa3or &!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$, 2Marx ar+ue% &!a& &!e S&a&e 8 in ine+a#i&arian c#a$$ $ocie&ie$ 8 )ou#%
ine3i&ab#y ref#ec& &!e in&ere$&$ of )!ic! e3er c#a$$ !a% &!e +rea&e$& $&ake in &!e economy,6 0=or$#ey1 7
recen& exam"#e of !o) +o3ernmen& !e#"$ &o re"ro%uce ca"i&a#i$m inc#u%e$ &!e mi#i&ary in%u$&ria#
com"#ex, /3er !a#f &!e For&une C00 com"anie$ in exi$&ence &o%ay make more &!an !a#f of &!eir "rofi&$
from &!e )ar$ in <ra- an% 7f+!ani$&an, T!e +o3ernmen& $"en& a""roxima&e#y 1,C &ri##ion %o##ar$ fun%in+
&!e$e )ar$: )ar$ )!ic! $er3e% &!e ca"i&a#i$& a+en%a, 0Braa1 7no&!er recen& exam"#e of ca"i&a#i$&
%omina&ion inc#u%e$ !o) banker$ i##e+a##y broke bankin+ #a)$ an% &!e DS +o3ernmen& c!o$e no& &o
in%i&e or "ro$ecu&e &!em, 0Braa1
/cca$iona##y +o3ernmen& )i## 2&!ro) a bone6 &o &!e )orkin+ c#a$$ )!en &!ey or+ani9e an%
become a &!rea&, Durin+ &!e De"re$$ion )orker$ be+an &o or+ani9e an% +ro) increa$in+#y more a+i&a&e%
by &!e e3er bur+eonin+ unem"#oymen& ra&e$ an% &!eir $&ar3in+ fami#ie$, 7frai% of re3o#u&ion by &!e
)orker$' Frank#in D, @oo$e3e#& crea&e% &!e Ee) Dea# )!ic! )a$ in fa3or of )orker$ an% !e#"e% &o ea$e
$ome of &!e unre$&, 0Braa1
Many $ocie&ie$ !a3e a %omina&e cu#&ure, 7merican $ocie&y &o%ay i$ %omina&e% by con$umeri$m'
or &!e nee% &o exce$$i3e#y $!o" an% con$ume "ro%uc&$ crea&e% by &!e ca"i&a#i$& c#a$$, ?on$um"&ion of
+oo%$ %i3i%e$ &!e c#a$$e$ a$ &!o$e )i&! a #o& of money are ab#e &o buy 2bi++er an% be&&er6 +oo%$ an%
fur&!er %ifferen&ia&e$ be&)een &!o$e )!o !a3e an% &!o$e )!o !a3e no&, 0Braa1 <n 2011' a""roxima&e#y
F4G4 bi##ion %o##ar$ )a$ $"en& on con$umer a%3er&i$in+ a#one, <n &!i$ )ay' ca"i&a#i$&$ )ork &o enforce
con$umeri$m an% maximi9e &!eir "rofi&$,
Marx be#ie3e$ &!a& c#a$$ $&ru++#e i$ a mo&i3e force of e3o#u&ion, He %oe$ no& c#aim &!a& &!e
mo%e of "ro%uc&ion %e&ermine$ e3ery&!in+ an% &!e $ub$e-uen& c#a$$ $&ru++#e$ en$uin+ from i&,
Ho)e3er' !e main&ain$ &!a& &!e ca"i&a#i$& $y$&em i$ an in!eren&#y ex"#oi&a&i3e $y$&em )i&! )ea#&! for a
fe) an% "o3er&y for many,
Marx($ "!i#o$o"!ica# foun%a&ion of !i$&orica# ma&eria#i$m $ay$ &!a& )e are !uman bein+$
becau$e )e #abor an% becau$e )e #abor &!en )e ex"erience #ife &!rou+! &!a& #abor, Marx($ $ocio#o+y
$ay$ &!a& a$ !uman bein+$ )e #abor an% our !i$&ory i$ ba$e% on &!o$e )!o $e## &!eir #abor an% &!o$e )!o
buy #abor, Marx %e$cribe$ &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion in &)o face&$* force$ of "ro%uc&ion an% re#a&ion$ of
"ro%uc&ion, T!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion i$ &!e infra$&ruc&ure of $ocie&y an% c#a$$ in&ere$&$ are crea&e% &!ere,
Po#i&y' i%eo#o+y an% cu#&ure are &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure of $ocie&y an% in a %ia#ec&ica# re#a&ion$!i" )i&! &!e
infra$&ruc&ure, /ur "o#i&y an% i%eo#o+y $er3e &!e func&ion of main&ainin+ an% re"ro%ucin+ &!e c#a$$
in&ere$&$ of &!o$e )!o con&ro# &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion an% &!erefore' &!e mo%e of "ro%uc&ion $er3e$ &!e
func&ion of main&ainin+ i&$ o)n c#a$$ in&ere$&$ an% a#$o &!o$e of &!e $u"er$&ruc&ure &o fur&!er $er3e
&!em$e#3e$,
=ork$ ?i&e%*
Braa' Dean, Soc 22C' Soc 407' Soc 471, =/D' Monmou&!, Bec&ure,
D(7ma&o' Pau#, The Meaning of Marxism, ?!ica+o' <B* Haymarke&' 200G, Prin&,
Marx' Har#' Frie%ric! En+e#$' an% @ober& ?, Tucker, The Marx-Engels Reader, Ee) Iork* Eor&on'
1J78, Prin&,
=or$#ey' Pe&er, Marx and Marxism, Bon%on* @ou&#e%+e' 2002, Prin&,