Marx’s Revenge: How Class Struggle Is Shaping the World

[t_polkow]

With the global economy in a protracted crisis, and workers around the world burdened by joblessness, debt and stagnant incomes, Marx’s biting critique of capitalism — that the system is inherently unjust and self-destructive — cannot be so easily dismissed. Marx theorized that the capitalist system would inevitably impoverish the masses as the world’s wealth became concentrated in the hands of a greedy few, causing economic crises and heightened conflict between the rich and working classes. “Accumulation of wealth at one pole is at the same time accumulation of misery, agony of toil, slavery, ignorance, brutality, mental degradation, at the opposite pole,” Marx wrote.

A growing dossier of evidence suggests that he may have been right. It is sadly all too easy to find statistics that show the rich are getting richer while the middle class and poor are not. A September study from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in Washington noted that the median annual earnings of a full-time, male worker in the U.S. in 2011, at $48,202, were smaller than in 1973. Between 1983 and 2010, 74% of the gains in wealth in the U.S. went to the richest 5%, while the bottom 60% suffered a decline, the EPI calculated. No wonder some have given the 19th century German philosopher a second look. In China, the Marxist country that turned its back on Marx, Yu Rongjun was inspired by world events to pen a musical based on Marx’s classic Das Kapital. “You can find reality matches what is described in the book,” says the playwright.



Read more: Karl Marx's Revenge: Class Struggle Grows Around the World | TIME.com

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

With the global economy in a protracted crisis,

do you mean because too may smart phones, flat screen TVs, GPSs, game systems, and SUV's from which to choose?

 

[Publius1787]

With the global economy in a protracted crisis, and workers around the world burdened by joblessness, debt and stagnant incomes, Marx’s biting critique of capitalism — that the system is inherently unjust and self-destructive — cannot be so easily dismissed. Marx theorized that the capitalist system would inevitably impoverish the masses as the world’s wealth became concentrated in the hands of a greedy few, causing economic crises and heightened conflict between the rich and working classes. “Accumulation of wealth at one pole is at the same time accumulation of misery, agony of toil, slavery, ignorance, brutality, mental degradation, at the opposite pole,” Marx wrote.

A growing dossier of evidence suggests that he may have been right. It is sadly all too easy to find statistics that show the rich are getting richer while the middle class and poor are not. A September study from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in Washington noted that the median annual earnings of a full-time, male worker in the U.S. in 2011, at $48,202, were smaller than in 1973. Between 1983 and 2010, 74% of the gains in wealth in the U.S. went to the richest 5%, while the bottom 60% suffered a decline, the EPI calculated. No wonder some have given the 19th century German philosopher a second look. In China, the Marxist country that turned its back on Marx, Yu Rongjun was inspired by world events to pen a musical based on Marx’s classic Das Kapital. “You can find reality matches what is described in the book,” says the playwright.



Read more: Karl Marx's Revenge: Class Struggle Grows Around the World | TIME.com

Anything is better than this.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pzMHD0F4yQ]The Bloody History of Communism Full - YouTube[/ame]



I cant imagine why those silly Chinese are turning their backs on Marx.

This one is just for fun

 

[Mr. H.]

There are plenty of jobs available in the U.S.
People don't want to work because they don't have to.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

There are plenty of jobs available in the U.S.
People don't want to work because they don't have to.

you mean because of stuff like 99 weeks of unemployment and 9 million people on workman's comp???

 

[Mr. H.]

There are plenty of jobs available in the U.S.
People don't want to work because they don't have to.

you mean because of stuff like 99 weeks of unemployment and 9 million people on workman's comp???

Easier to collect comp and unemployment and food stamps etc than get a job.

I attended a presentation by a local employer that does $3-4 million in annual sales out of his factory. He said by far the biggest challenge is finding people who want a job. He asked that if we knew anyone who wants a job to send them over- he's got plenty of positions.

I've heard this repeatedly over the years, and first hand... not reading it on the internets.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

There are plenty of jobs available in the U.S.
People don't want to work because they don't have to.

you mean because of stuff like 99 weeks of unemployment and 9 million people on workman's comp???

Easier to collect comp and unemployment and food stamps etc than get a job.

I attended a presentation by a local employer that does $3-4 million in annual sales out of his factory. He said by far the biggest challenge is finding people who want a job. He asked that if we knew anyone who wants a job to send them over- he's got plenty of positions.

I've heard this repeatedly over the years, and first hand... not reading it on the internets.

yes its a real problem especially as our economy grows and becomes more efficient. Soon, with government handouts and a little real work a family will be able to get by with one person working 20 hours a week!

 

[eflatminor]

Marx’s biting critique of capitalism — that the system is inherently unjust and self-destructive — cannot be so easily dismissed.

Tell you what, you point to a current system of free market capitalism and we'll consider your collectivist ideas. Good luck.

 

[Freemason9]

There are plenty of jobs available in the U.S.
People don't want to work because they don't have to.

you mean because of stuff like 99 weeks of unemployment and 9 million people on workman's comp???

Easier to collect comp and unemployment and food stamps etc than get a job.

I attended a presentation by a local employer that does $3-4 million in annual sales out of his factory. He said by far the biggest challenge is finding people who want a job. He asked that if we knew anyone who wants a job to send them over- he's got plenty of positions.

I've heard this repeatedly over the years, and first hand... not reading it on the internets.

If he offered decent wages, maybe he would get more interest. Our whole economic system is based upon greed--why in the world would this not apply to workers as well?

 

[TakeAStepBack]

It's a fine point in the OP. Except that we don't have capitalism and Marx theories are contradictory and flawed.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

With the global economy in a protracted crisis, and workers around the world burdened by joblessness, debt and stagnant incomes, Marx’s biting critique of capitalism — that the system is inherently unjust and self-destructive — cannot be so easily dismissed. Marx theorized that the capitalist system would inevitably impoverish the masses as the world’s wealth became concentrated in the hands of a greedy few, causing economic crises and heightened conflict between the rich and working classes. “Accumulation of wealth at one pole is at the same time accumulation of misery, agony of toil, slavery, ignorance, brutality, mental degradation, at the opposite pole,” Marx wrote.

A growing dossier of evidence suggests that he may have been right.

No it doesn't.

We don't have Capitalism in this country; we have Crony Capitalism and excessive government interference. The rest of the western world is Socialist.

Capitalism isn't what caused our current problems. A lack of it has.

 

[TakeAStepBack]

I prefer corporatism over crony capitalism. Simply because stating capitalism leads people to believe something that is not true. The State and large special interests control the legislation for the benefit of themselves; consolidated power and authority in a given economic sector. It's "capitalism" for main street citizens and socialism for the government and multinational corporations that share the legislative "bed".


Everyone else can go pound salt. If you're wondering if you are among the salt pounders, ask yourself how your savings is doing and what is becoming of your currency.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

How do you not mention the 100% Guaranteed Fail Rate that come with every re-distributive economy?

 

[Freemason9]

I prefer corporatism over crony capitalism. Simply because stating capitalism leads people to believe something that is not true. The State and large special interests control the legislation for the benefit of themselves; consolidated power and authority in a given economic sector. It's "capitalism" for main street citizens and socialism for the government and multinational corporations that share the legislative "bed".


Everyone else can go pound salt. If you're wondering if you are among the salt pounders, ask yourself how your savings is doing and what is becoming of your currency.

Anytime a person chases wealth and power to gain control over others, they will wield that control in any way they are able. This includes taking control of the government and legislative bodies.

This is why any form of unregulated capitalism is a disaster. It is a ticking time bomb.

 

[Freemason9]

How do you not mention the 100% Guaranteed Fail Rate that come with every re-distributive economy?

Needless to say, this is patently untrue and cannot be supported by evidence.

 

[TakeAStepBack]

I prefer corporatism over crony capitalism. Simply because stating capitalism leads people to believe something that is not true. The State and large special interests control the legislation for the benefit of themselves; consolidated power and authority in a given economic sector. It's "capitalism" for main street citizens and socialism for the government and multinational corporations that share the legislative "bed".


Everyone else can go pound salt. If you're wondering if you are among the salt pounders, ask yourself how your savings is doing and what is becoming of your currency.

Anytime a person chases wealth and power to gain control over others, they will wield that control in any way they are able. This includes taking control of the government and legislative bodies.

This is why any form of unregulated capitalism is a disaster. It is a ticking time bomb.

The current state of centrally planned economics is working out wonderfully with all the regulations.

Really. Slow. Clap.

Especially with all the the wealth and power given to multinational corp. by the government.

 

[Freemason9]

I prefer corporatism over crony capitalism. Simply because stating capitalism leads people to believe something that is not true. The State and large special interests control the legislation for the benefit of themselves; consolidated power and authority in a given economic sector. It's "capitalism" for main street citizens and socialism for the government and multinational corporations that share the legislative "bed".


Everyone else can go pound salt. If you're wondering if you are among the salt pounders, ask yourself how your savings is doing and what is becoming of your currency.

Anytime a person chases wealth and power to gain control over others, they will wield that control in any way they are able. This includes taking control of the government and legislative bodies.

This is why any form of unregulated capitalism is a disaster. It is a ticking time bomb.

The current state of centrally planned economics is working out wonderfully with all the regulations.

Really. Slow. Clap.

Especially with all the the wealth and power given to multinational corp. by the government.

That should probably read, "Especially with all the wealth and power taken from the government by multinational corporations."

 

[TakeAStepBack]

Taken? You mean they held the legislators hostage and just "took" it? Yeah, no. The situation is favoritism by government for multinational corporations. Its been that way for a very long time. Since the days of the railroads, probably before.

You seem to have it all backwards.

 

[Freemason9]

Taken? You mean they held the legislators hostage and just "took" it? Yeah, no. The situation is favoritism by government for multinational corporations. Its been that way for a very long time. Since the days of the railroads, probably before.

You seem to have it all backwards.

I have nothing backwards. I understand it perfectly. The legislators sold control of the government to the highest bidders. That's capitalism, right? It will never be different unless regulatory compulsion forces change.

 

[eflatminor]

The legislators sold control of the government to the highest bidders. That's capitalism, right?

No, that's cronyism.

It will never be different unless regulatory compulsion forces change.

So because legislators are not to be trusted, we need more legislation?