Marx took great care in dissecting the many problems of the bourgeoisie. And while this constant stream of criticism was tedious at times, I found myself actually appreciating it. He goes to great lengths to describe the history of the Bourgeoisie and the consequences for their rulings and unfairness. The part that I enjoyed is how he describes the growing success of the Bourgeois to be the death of them.
"The weapons with which the bourgeoisie felled feudalism to the ground are now turned against the bourgeoisie itself. But not only has the bourgeoisie forged the weapons that bring death to itself; it has also called into existence the men who are to wield those weapons --the modern working class -- the proletarians. In proportion as the bourgeoisie, i.e., capital, is developed, in the same proportion is the proletariat, the modern working class, developed -- a class of labourers, who live only so long as they find work, and who find work only so long as their labour increases capital."
I know it is a long quote, but I loved this concept. This upper class was gaining more and more success in their industries and all the while they are wielding the weapons of their demise.
Marx puts this deathly circle of life on display in a very thorough and eye opening way.
Also, I love the idea of the "Machine." The machine is the enemy here. This industry has been taking over their culture and is part of this self destructive circle within the bourgeoisie. But to look closely at the effects of industry, individual people had turned into a machine. The working man is no longer a man, but a machine -- and not even a machine but an "appendage of the machine" loosing their craftsmanship, their professions, and their enjoyment in work.
Just thoughts.
P.S. Commented on Daniel's.
I was also intrigued by that passage, how the weapons turned against bourgeoisie and how they brought death to themselves.
ReplyDeleteAbbie, I was also interested in this passage. I appreciated the way Marx broke down the history of the bourgeoisie and how they steadily rose in society. His idea of the growth of industry toward machines over people was so accurate and profound.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of this deathly circle! I liked the passage but wasn't sure on it and this has really helped further my understanding.
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