Conflict theorist Carl Marx focused his studies primarily on the social and economic injustice of laborers within a capitalistic society. Born and raised in the nineteenth century in Germany, Marx himself witnessed the rise of the communist manifesto. Capitalism was on a rise, where people began to leave their rural lifestyle and adapt to the industrial culture of factory labor. Marx theorized and emphasized labor to be bought and sold, where the capitalist buys the labor, or the bourgeoisie, and the proletarian sells their labor. Marx described the proletarian to produce products (such as a factory worker in today’s society) and the capitalist as the seller of the product (such as a world wide corporation such as Nike). When we observe Marx’s theory of estranged labor, we can view the concepts of exploitation and alienation. We examine the nature of social construction and authority, and the capitalistic society we continue to live in today.
Workers around the world are currently still suffering from exploitation and are alienated. Marx’s theory is present in today’s society and it is visible through the complex society of capitalism and social inequalities. Workers are exploited which proves how innovation and progress ultimately oppresses the worker. Growth of the bourgeoisie is dependent upon the level of exploitation of the proletarian. An excellent example of Marx’s theory being applied in today’s society is the visible exploitation of migrant workers. Not only are they underpaid, underappreciate, and overworked, they are the essential key to the capitalist who seeks to buy the proletarian and his/her labor for a cheap price. “ONE News” of New Zealand investigated worker exploitation and uncovered workers who claimed they were paid as little as $8 an hour, which is less than the minimum wage. Avtar Singh, an immigrant worker from India, came to New Zealand in search of a better future and job opportunities. Singh ended up in an underclass job with migrant workers, while only receiving a pay of only $8 an hour. Another worker, Gurjinder Singh, arrived from the Middle East in hope of a better job opportunity. He also was exploited and underpaid, while working a job that required the minimum wage legally given to workers. After being investigated, it was concluded that there were more similar cases of underpaid migrant workers who did not receive the proper pay they were required to receive. Unfortunately, many similar cases occur all over the world, including the United States. Cheap labor saves the bourgeoisie money, in which they can also receive a larger profit for. It is a widespread problem throughout the world today, where labor produces for the wealthy, but it produces deprivation for the worker. The labor required from the proletarian may produce a “palace”, but it produces a “hovel” for the worker.
Carl Marx viewed capitalist societies as the source of light for inequality. His theories help us better understand and become aware of worker exploitation amongst labor workers around the word. His theories still apply to workers (of all types) and represents capitalism as ongoing phenomena.
Workers around the world are currently still suffering from exploitation and are alienated. Marx’s theory is present in today’s society and it is visible through the complex society of capitalism and social inequalities. Workers are exploited which proves how innovation and progress ultimately oppresses the worker. Growth of the bourgeoisie is dependent upon the level of exploitation of the proletarian. An excellent example of Marx’s theory being applied in today’s society is the visible exploitation of migrant workers. Not only are they underpaid, underappreciate, and overworked, they are the essential key to the capitalist who seeks to buy the proletarian and his/her labor for a cheap price. “ONE News” of New Zealand investigated worker exploitation and uncovered workers who claimed they were paid as little as $8 an hour, which is less than the minimum wage. Avtar Singh, an immigrant worker from India, came to New Zealand in search of a better future and job opportunities. Singh ended up in an underclass job with migrant workers, while only receiving a pay of only $8 an hour. Another worker, Gurjinder Singh, arrived from the Middle East in hope of a better job opportunity. He also was exploited and underpaid, while working a job that required the minimum wage legally given to workers. After being investigated, it was concluded that there were more similar cases of underpaid migrant workers who did not receive the proper pay they were required to receive. Unfortunately, many similar cases occur all over the world, including the United States. Cheap labor saves the bourgeoisie money, in which they can also receive a larger profit for. It is a widespread problem throughout the world today, where labor produces for the wealthy, but it produces deprivation for the worker. The labor required from the proletarian may produce a “palace”, but it produces a “hovel” for the worker.
Carl Marx viewed capitalist societies as the source of light for inequality. His theories help us better understand and become aware of worker exploitation amongst labor workers around the word. His theories still apply to workers (of all types) and represents capitalism as ongoing phenomena.