Is Marxism Still Relevant Today Essay - 2189 Words

The Industrial Revolution (1750-1850) had brought about significant changes in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and technology and subsequently established an era of unprecedented economic growth in capitalist economies. It was within this era that Karl Marx had observed the deprivation and inequality experienced by men of the proletariat, the working class, who had laboured excessively for hours under inhumane conditions to earn a minimum wage while the bourgeoisie, the capitalist class, reaped the benefits. For Marx it was this fundamental inequality within the social and economic hierarchy that had enabled capitalist societies to function. While Marx’s theories, in many instances have been falsified and predictions†¦show more content†¦Considering that as of 2010, 45.4% of the Australian labour force comprised of women it would seem that Marx’s socialist perspective is less so equal or relevant in contemporary society. Marxism is often cited as being irrelevant within contemporary society due to the fact that Marx had critiqued an almost incomparable society. McDonald Brownlee (2001) argue that contemporary society exists in a post-modern era where westernised societies enjoy the benefits of higher living standards, where the rights of employees are elicited within the Australian Constitution and the rights of humans are dictated within Geneva conventions. An era where employees are entitled to government pensions, allowances, superannuation, and employees accrue sick and annual leave (McDonald Brownlee, 2001). Furthermore employees are able to seek union representation and are legally entitled to industrial action. McDonald and Brownlee (2001) assert that Fair Work Australia, established as an institution responsible for fixating minimum wage and resolving work related disputes, perpetuates the notion that Australia is in transition to become an egalitarian society with minimal class disparity . Critics have also argued that Marxism within western society is no longerShow MoreRelatedThe Basic Concepts Of Marxism1460 Words   |  6 Pagesantagonism still exists in the present day, but in a different form and scale from antagonism Marx described during his time. Having mentioned Occupy Wall Street, a clear present day example of class antagonism, I would like to argue that Marxism is still very relevant in the 21st century, serving as a crucial political and social idea that shapes our present. To present my arguments, I will first retrace the basic concepts of Marxism, and elaborate on how of some Marxist ideas still apply to theRead MoreKarl Marx And The Communist Manifesto Essay1691 Words   |  7 Pageswas written collaboratively by both Marx and Engels, as they explored the argument that â€Å"history and progress can be seen dialectically as societies shift from one mode of production to another†. This will be argued through a contextual account of Marxism, its development, critiques, and both the dependency theory and critical theory. Marx closely analysed the economic interactions within the capitalist community, arguing that the unfair wages were being distributed to workers due to capitalism beingRead MoreThe Root Of Female Subjugation1258 Words   |  6 Pageslinks directly to the developments of reformed social relations regarding production and the family under capitalism, triggering social and economic defeat throughout human history and on into present society where traces of gender subjugation are still found. Initially, research says society was an equal, communal effort until the conceptualization of production, which resulted in the creation of private property and laid the foundation of capitalism. Marx and Engels coined the term EgalitarianRead MoreA Critical Comparison Of Marxist Theory And Merton’S Strain1530 Words   |  7 PagesMarxist Theory of Crime and Deviance has the strongest explanation for crime between the two of them therefore, is more relevant in contemporary society today. An Overview of Marxist theory of Crime and Deviance: The Marxist theory of deviance such as the Conflict Theory derives from the middle to late 19th century workings of German theorist Karl Marx. Customarily, Marxism justifies theories that rationalise the inequities fashioned by the capitalist’s structure in relation to power. His generalRead MoreNeo-Marxist Contribution to Theories O Social Class Inequality884 Words   |  4 Pagessocial class inequality today? Social class inequality can be defined as the existence of socially created inequalities among and within classes. They can be attributed to various factors such as race, colour, ethnicity, gender, income, etc. It is arguable that inequalities that exist in post-independence societies as well as the inequalities which exist between nations can be directly traced back to the exploitative capitalism which accompanied European colonialism. Neo-Marxism has indeed contributedRead MoreMarx And Engels s Critique And Critique Of Capitalism1669 Words   |  7 Pagesproletariat). Collectively, these two men created the theory of Marxism. There are multiple critiques of Marxism that attack the fundamental tenants of their argument. Several historical events have fueled such criticisms, such as the fall of the Soviet Union, where Marxism was significantly invalidated and condemned. On the flip side, Marxism has been widely supported in times of capitalist hardships. What viewpoint a person wi ll hold towards Marxism is largely dependable on the economical environment inRead MoreMarxism Is Based On The Social Theories Of Karl Marx And Friederich Engels1445 Words   |  6 PagesMarxism is based on the social theories of Karl Marx and Friederich Engels and has evolved and adapted to take into account the way that society functions today. It states that social change is determined by the economy and describes the relationship and the conflict between the ruling class (the Bourgeoisie) and the working class (the Proletariat). Marxism describes how society is biased purely to benefit of the ruling class and examines the exploitation of the working class. There are lots ofRead MoreSociology, Social Closure Essay (Higher)1585 Words   |  7 PagesAnalyse the extent to which social closure exists in UK society. Use two contrasting theories and relevant studies in your answer. INTRO Social stratification is the way in which society is stratified or made up of layers of social groups in a hierarchical way. Class stratification is a form of social stratification, which tends to split separate classes, whose members have contrasting access to resources and power. In Britain, society is structured in terms of inequality. Different classes tendRead MoreThe Value Of Philosophy And Its Influence On Society1271 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophical views still live today. Today, women have the same basic equal rights as men, such as voting. Presently, women and men attend school and the house maker role is no longer the soul job of a woman. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman though controversial at its time, was very influential as today many societies recognize a woman to be equal to a man. Wollstonecraft’s philosophical worked helped pave the road toward gender equality, and continues to as gender biases still exists. PhilosophyRead MoreBook Review : Why Read Marx Today?759 Words   |  4 PagesBook Review: Why Read Marx Today? (Jonathan Wolff; Oxford University Press; 2002) In this book, Wolff (UCL professor, philosopher, and columnist for the Guardian) tackles the immense task of analysing the validity and modern significance of Karl Marx and his teachings. As Wolff quickly points out in his introductory paragraphs, surely the fall of the Berlin Wall - along with the collapse of the so-called â€Å"‘Evil Empire’† (1) (the Soviet Union) - should have rendered the Marxist theorists beaten and

Chaucers Canterbury Tales - Comparing Dishonesty in The...

Dishonesty and Hypocrisy in The Physicians and Pardoners Tales Chaucer presents characters in the Physicians and Pardoners Tales who are very similar to each other in one important way. Although the characters seem on the surface to be mirror images of each other, they have an important underlying similarity: both the physician and the pardoner are not what they appear to be to most people. Both are hypocritical, although they show this hypocrisy in different ways. One way of seeing this hypocrisy, in the case of the physicians tale, is to examine the way the similarities and differences between the knight Virginius and the physician himself in terms of what he sees as moral actions. It seems fairly clear that†¦show more content†¦The tale as told by the physician, however, is problematic as a moral example, because (although Virginia may have had to submit to the judges rule that he live with her), there is nothing in Apius ruling that would have forced her to yield her chastity to him. She would still have had a moral choice when she submitted. It may be that the choice would have come to nothing but consentual or nonconsentual sex with Apius. This is still a very important distinction in Christian terms, because without yielding her consent, Virginia would have been guilty of no sin. It may have been that she would have been dishonored in the eyes of society if she was to live with the judge, but she would have committed no moral tr ansgression. By identifying himself with Virginius, by drawing on a similar story in the Biblical book of Judges to provide moral backing for his own story, and holding the tale up as a moral example of Christian behavior, the physician re-frames it in terms of Christian ethics, although it is set in ancient Rome. It is understandable (although perhaps unusual to the modern reader) that a father would rather see his daughter dead than sacrifice her eternal reward in heaven; but once it is realized that her eternal reward, within the context of this tale, is not at stake, it seems absurd that a father would rather have his

Women’s Rights in the Quran Essay Free Essays

The religion of Islam, unfortunately, has been exposed many unfair criticisms from nonmuslims. Especially about how Islamic Laws are treated towards the women. There are plenty of misinterpretations and accusations. We will write a custom essay sample on Women’s Rights in the Quran Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now It needs to mention about fundamental and basic principles in Islam. According to Islam, human beings are not evil and sinful creatures, and they do not come to the world with tendency to sin. Human beings are not sinful until they choose to sin. Unlike Christianity, a newborn baby considered to be pure, innocent, and considered as if s(he) a given present from Allah. There is even a saying in Turkish ‘like a paradise-scented child’. This saying refers that the children are innocent and as if they are coming from the paradise. Also, every human is equal in Islam regardless of their race, color, and class. Islam is not definite with only one age, it is for every age. Khurshid Ahmad describes the aim of Islam as, Islam aims at establishing an equilibrium between these two aspects of life – the material and the spiritual. (36) Another detail in Islam is that how Quran describes Eve. In Quran, Eve is not represented an evil or a seductive woman. Quran puts an equivalent blame on Adam’s and Eve’s mistake. It does not separate Eve from Adam. Eve is not portrayed as a deceiver or a seducer. Eve is not blamed for seducing Adam to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree. Actually, in Quran Surah Taha, verse 121† †¦ Thus, Adam disobeyed his Lord, and fell.† This verse states that Adam is especially blamed for the sin not Eve. Another important detail is that the original sin concept. It does not exist in Islam. For this reason, Adam’s sin is not inherited to the other human beings like it does in Christianity. This is because Adam and Eve repented to Allah and they had forgiven. Allah does not punish anyone for other’s sins. Therefore, in Islam, everyone is responsible for their own actions, and their own sins. The Quran provides clear-cut evidence that woman in completely equated with man in the sight of Allah in terms of her rights and responsibilities (Ahmad 136). In Quran Surah Al- Imran verse 195 † Their Lord answered the Prayer thus: â€Å"I will not suffer the work of any of you, whether male or female, to go to waste; each of you is from the other†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This part of the verse simply refers that there is no discrimination between a man and a woman in the presence of Allah. In Islam, the superiority only occurs when it comes to the actions. Other features are not important. For instance, being a man or a female, noble or ignoble, those features do not affect the actions that have done. It is crystal clear that there is no difference between a man and a woman. Later on, the Quran states again that there is no discrimination between a man and a woman in Surah An-Nisaa verse 124 † But whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, and is a believer— those will enter Paradise, and will not be wronged a whit.† The only thing that matter is the actions. Another Surah emphasizes the same topic again, in Surah An-Nahl verse 97 † Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer, we will grant him a good life—and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do.† As long as following Allah and embrace the religion, believers will be rewarded by their works and actions. In Islam there are some religious obligations, for instance, routine prayers, fasting, alms, and going on a pilgrimage. A man and a woman have same obligations and duties for those religious obligations. Except some circumstances, to give an example, a woman can be privileged from prayers throughout her mensuration. The same case applies for fasting. There can be some exceptional for the women, otherwise the man and the women are equally responsible for the obligations. In the Pre-Islamic age of ignorance, if someone has a daughter as his or her first child, burying her was vastly common amongst the various Arabian tribes. Surah An-Nahl verses 58-59 describe the how people react when they have a daughter. † And when one of them is given news of a female infant, his face darkens, and he chokes with grief. He hides from the people because of the bad news given to him. Shall he keep it in humiliation, or bury it in the dust? What an evil choice they decide on?† Quran unquestionably and strictly forbids the infanticide. With the acceptance of Islam, the daughters were protected and treated fairly. Females had gained rights with the Islam. Surely, during the age of ignorance women were treated as if they were the objects, and they had no right. Prior to the advent of Islam, woman had no rights to speak of. When a woman’s husband died, any of his male relatives would simply appropriate her, as if she was an animal or a commodity ( Al-Ghazili) The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) has a saying about treating the daughters † Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will admit him to Paradise because of her.† (Ibn Hanbal Hadith No 1957). Even just by deducing from this Hadith that in Islam, the daughter has an equal position with the son. Moreover, it can be said that how treating a daughter significant for awarding the father with the Paradise. Woman in the marriage in the Quran states in one of the Surah which is Al-Rum verse 21 † And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.† The Quran clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the society, and its objectives, beside perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy (Ahmed 138). Furthermore, a woman cannot force into marriage without her own approval according to Islamic Law. The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with upright human nature. A woman and a man both have equal rights and claims on one another, except for one responsibility, that of leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man (Ahmed 138). In Surah Al-Baqarah verse 228 † †¦ And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.† Having a degree has to do with the maintenance and protection of a women, and as Khurshid Ahmed refers that it is the natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection. It does not imply no superiority or advantage before the law, and the man’s role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband’s dictatorship over his wife (138). One of the distinction between Islam and Christianity is about remarriage of the widows. Unlike Christianity, the widows or divorced women do not expose to discrimination against the unmarried women or another. According to Islam, a divorced or widowed woman has the right to remarry without any shame or denunciation. In fact, the Quran allows the betrothal of a divorced or widowed woman even during her period of transition (Jawad 34). In Surah Al-Baqarah 235 states as: It shall be no offence for you openly to propose marriage indirectly to such women or to cherish them in your hearts. Allah knows that you will remember them. Do not arrange to meet them in secret and, if you do, speak to them honorably. But you shall not consummate the marriage before the end of their waiting period. Know that Allah has knowledge of all your thoughts. Therefore, take heed and bear in mind that Allah is forgiving and merciful. This verse mentions there is no sin in offering a marriage implicitly to a woman whose husband died and waiting for the iddat. The explanation of Iddat is a period of time during which a divorced or widowed woman may not remarry (oxforddictionaries.com). This offering can be through expressing the intention of the man by asking questions or stating his wishes to the woman. By this way, woman’s opinion will find out, and if the woman wishes to marry that man, it will be prevented the woman to promise someone else. Islam values the treating respectful and kind to the parents, but especially to the mothers. In Islam, women are also valued being a mother too. For instance, In the Quran, there is a suggestion for the polite behavior for the mothers. In Surah Luqman verse 14 † And we enjoined upon man to be dutiful to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness upon weakness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Likewise, in Surah Al-Ahqaf verse 15 † And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Surah Al-Ahqaf verse 15 indicates that Allah ordered to us to treat our parents kindly and take care of them. It is also emphasized that how our mothers suffered during her pregnancy with having sickness and at the same how challenging her labor was. Similarly, in Surah Al-Isra verse 23 is regarding the good and polite treatment towards the parents †Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to your parents. If either of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, nor scold them, but say to them kind words.† There are several sayings of The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). One day, The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) stated: † Be regretful!† when they say † Who? O The messenger of Allah!† The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied as † It is the person who cannot enter the Paradise because he did not show respect one or both of his parents in their old age.† (Birr and S?la 251) Furthermore, The Prophet Mohammad has a well-known saying † Paradise is at the feet of mothers† (Ibn Hanbal). One more case can be given as: A man came to Mohammad (pbuh) asking, † O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is the worthiest of my good company? † The Prophet (pbuh) said, †Your mother.† The man said, †Then who else?† The Prophet (pbuh) said †Your mother.† The man said, † Then who else?† The Prophet (pbuh) said, †Your mother.† The man said, †Then who else?† Only then did the Prophet (pbuh) say †Your father.† (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). The financial status of a woman is secured in Quran. It can be easily seen in the verses of the Quran. How to cite Women’s Rights in the Quran Essay, Essays