Marxism can be explained as a radical change of economic, social, and political theory and thought (Biorseth, 2009). Marxism wanted to eliminate classes, which are the bourgeois (upper class) and the proletariats (working class). The hopeful end result in a Marxist society was to create a perfect society without classes. In a way they wanted to create some sort of a utopian society.
This is a very good objective for many different societies, but maybe not all. My thought is that there can be some individuals that don`t like Marxism. Since Marxism is trying to make everyone equal it creates many people that are considered equivalent to one another which makes many voices that can overlap or some people may not even say anything at all because they are worried it won`t be accepted. A capitalist system can be better at times because there is no conflict of opinion and one person (or group) makes the decisions for the whole. In Marxist society, the thoughts of one individual can be heard, but not always accepted. Marx considered that an individual, along with their nature, freedom, and development is inseparably connected to society (Simirnov, 1985). The starting point for Marxism is not with the individual, but with society. The opinion of an individual is only valued if it would benefit the entire society and if it doesn’t, the opinion would probably not be considered.
Most people that I know personally would always want their thoughts or opinion to be heard. If it isn’t, a person would feel upset and possibly feel as if they don’t matter. Because thoughts may be oppressed in society, an individual can become worried about expressing their thoughts which could lead towards a social phobia. A person with a Social Phobia will fear social situations and confrontation. They can be scared that people will judge their thoughts and behaviour. This will make them fear things like talking in public and the individual may do everything they can to avoid these types of social situations (Canadian Mental Health Association). Everyone is supposed to have a valued opinion and the only way to be heard is if you speak up. It is very possible that some individuals fear that they will be judged for what they have to say so they just keep it to themselves. If this is the case for not one, but many people in a Marxist society, then not much is said that will help society grow.
Marxism needs capitalism to thrive so it can change from the class society to classless. The ideal Marxist society places society and all its needs before the individual. The individual is still valued but only if they support the greater society at hand. If the individual is not important, they can feel like they are useless and social phobias, anxiety, and even depression can come into place. So to end my entry I pose this question; Under which political system would the individual worker conceivably have less stress and anxiety because they want their voice heard? Capitalism; in which control over production is by the wealthy class (bourgeois). Or Marxism; which states that the first area of importance is society and the individual is second and is only heard if it benefits the greater good which can silence certain individuals. -Nicole (Nikki) S.
Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.
Thinking Catholic Strategic Center, Vic Biorseth (2009)
Retrieved from:
http://www.thinking-catholic-strategic-center.com/definition-of-marxism.html
Retrieved from:
http://www.thinking-catholic-strategic-center.com/definition-of-marxism.html
The Marxist, Volume: 3, No. 3-4, G Simirnov (July – December 1985)
Retrieved from:
http://www.cpim.org/marxist/198504_marxist_marxism&indv_simirnov.htm
Retrieved from:
http://www.cpim.org/marxist/198504_marxist_marxism&indv_simirnov.htm
Canadian Mental Health Association (n.d.) Phobias and Panic Disorder
Retrieved from:
http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3-94-96&lang=1
Retrieved from:
http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3-94-96&lang=1
PTSD is a huge issue that so many people overlook. I like that the marxist paradigm cares about the well-being of workers. I agree with you that if the workers are doing well, in turn the business will do well. If people are suffering form PTSD they should get the help they need right away so it doesn't become a bigger issue that gets even harder to deal with. I like that marxism cares about that and I think more businesses should keep this in mind. Good post!
ReplyDelete-Dora
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Dora, I think that more businesses need to keep in mind the well being of their working staff. Because the better off your workers are, the better off your business will be. I think that the business world needs to take some characteristics from Marxism and apply it to their business (e.g. workers have more control over their work)- that way their business will do better and the well beings of their workers will be better.
ReplyDelete-Morgan
I agree as well. Marxism is great for understanding that all people are people regardless of their differences, and this is beneficial for everyone. When people have mental disabilities it doesn't help anyone when there are stigmas associated with their struggles. It is interesting that you mentioned that Marxism can't survive without some form of capitalism, since Marx's biggest goal was to overthrow capitalism. Good post.
ReplyDeleteLeah
I believe that Marxism does a great job of carring for the working class. It realises that these individuals work themselves to the bone while it is the bourgeouisie that are making all the profit. It is certain that PTSD can have an enourmous affect on a person, and they're needs to be more done to help people with this disorder. I have a friend who went to war, he saw his best friend die in battle, and when he came back to Canada, he was a compltely different person. It hurts me to see how much pain he's in and he feels as though there's no one that can help him. People need to talk about these issues!
ReplyDelete-Brigitte Tetrault
I know someone that was in the Red Zone while serving time in Afghanastan or Iran. He has been dealing with a lot of substance abuse because of what he's seen.
ReplyDeletePTSD is not a pretty thing. People going off to war may never come back mentallly because of it.
~Joelle