Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Marx and Weber; im a horrible writer, i know -_-

Eric Kim
Section A08
HW#1
10/12/2011
For decades, Captialism has been the dominant economic system of the world. Karl Marx and Max Weber both held different views of how capitalism came to be and how it affects populations politically and socially. Weber believed cultural structures had a very strong hand in the birth of capitalism. In contrast, Marx believed that conflicts between social structures had changed the dominant economic system, and it would continue to do so until societies would adapt Communist structures.
Max Weber emphasized the Puritan work ethic being the dominant force of capitalism. Their culture stressed hard work in one's "calling" and also looked down upon frivolous spending. This was accepted because of their concern with the afterlife over their worldy ones. Instead of spending their money, Puritans would reinvest their money into capital to continue pursueing their "calling" and naturally became very profitable. Eventually other cultures adapted a similar mindset for the profits rather than cultural motives and created capitalism
Marx believed that the societal clashes between feaudal lords and serfs paved the way for freedom. While the opressed did not feel that their disadvantage would shorten their lives, they would not revolt, but once they believed their oppression resulted in a noticeable decrease of their lives, they would revolt or strive for change. The clash between the feudal lords and serfs resulted in the dominance of the bourgeoisie.
Marx's belief seems to be more convincing. Revolutions that occured, such as the French Revolution included an Oppressor and a disgruntled Oppressed class. Eventually, the oppressed would rally and assemble to overthrow the Oppressed. Similarily now, it seems that the big name corporations are the oppressors and the workers of said companies, the oppressed. Recently their have been more conflicts between the two, somtimes resulting in some flares. The recent protest of at Wall St. Could be an example of another small conflict. It could be possible eventually that the oppressed would grow in unity and strive to make change towards the current system. Whether the change would happen through violent, or diplomatic means wis yet to be seen.