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Burnley123 · 41-45, M
I answer a qualified but definite 'yes'.
Most people commenting here don't really know what Marxism is. The man himself would probably have disowned all of the societies made in his name and 99% of what he wrote was to create a critical framework for understanding capitalism.
There is a lot of what Marx wrote which is very relevant today; prescient even. For example, capital's tendency to monopolise and find new markets, globalisation, the decline of the middle class etc etc were all things that Marx predicted. He was able to do so because he had what was then unprecedentedly developed theory of history and why things happen. You do not have to be a revolutionary socialist to see why this is important.
I also think that the current neo-liberal economic system is bust. Growth in the West has been sustained on private debt for decades and this can no longer work. Inequality is increasing ever more and companies are still incentivised to make the planet unlivable.
I don't care for a hammer and sickle or what these alt-right types call 'Cultural Marxism;' when they combine two words, each of which they don't understand. However, we have big problems in the world which are getting worse and Marx can help us understand why. What to do about then is a tougher question and here Marx does not provide the answer.
Most people commenting here don't really know what Marxism is. The man himself would probably have disowned all of the societies made in his name and 99% of what he wrote was to create a critical framework for understanding capitalism.
There is a lot of what Marx wrote which is very relevant today; prescient even. For example, capital's tendency to monopolise and find new markets, globalisation, the decline of the middle class etc etc were all things that Marx predicted. He was able to do so because he had what was then unprecedentedly developed theory of history and why things happen. You do not have to be a revolutionary socialist to see why this is important.
I also think that the current neo-liberal economic system is bust. Growth in the West has been sustained on private debt for decades and this can no longer work. Inequality is increasing ever more and companies are still incentivised to make the planet unlivable.
I don't care for a hammer and sickle or what these alt-right types call 'Cultural Marxism;' when they combine two words, each of which they don't understand. However, we have big problems in the world which are getting worse and Marx can help us understand why. What to do about then is a tougher question and here Marx does not provide the answer.
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firefall · 61-69, M
@Cierzo ?? the industrial revolution was already well underway by the time Smith published Wealth of Nations, by about 40-50 years. Smith was being descriptive of what was happening, not prescriptive. And the Enclosure Acts had very little to do with starting the Industrial Revolution, either - as for politicians 'impulsed them', that's a ... .terribly dishonest description. Politicians 'impulsed' them, because the Rich Landowners insisted on it, and they either were the 'politicans' or controlled them.
Cierzo · M
@firefall Certainly not without James Watt's steam engine.
You know British history better than I do for sure, but according to what I have read, it is hard that factories would have got the army of workers they required if not for the thousands of peasants impoverished due to Enclosure Acts.
You know British history better than I do for sure, but according to what I have read, it is hard that factories would have got the army of workers they required if not for the thousands of peasants impoverished due to Enclosure Acts.
Cierzo · M
@Burnley123 It is really a very interesting discussion whether it is society as a whole or certain individuals that make the process of human history.
In my opinion if the main actor was the whole society, history would be more a continuous process, not one with leaps forwards (and backwards) happening from time to time.
I think it is a great debate that deserves a question of its own.
In my opinion if the main actor was the whole society, history would be more a continuous process, not one with leaps forwards (and backwards) happening from time to time.
I think it is a great debate that deserves a question of its own.
NegiSpringfield · 36-40, M
Labchar · 26-30, F
@NegiSpringfield Russia is third world?
NegiSpringfield · 36-40, M
They're not Marxist anymore. Also, parts of the country are nearly as poor as most "Third World countries".
firefall · 61-69, M
HoraceGreenley · 56-60, M
5thApprentice · 31-35, M
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wetncthru · F
@tupolevtu144 No, just stating a fact!
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wetncthru · F
@tupolevtu144 OK, you are excused Mr. Concordski.
BemyValentine · F
HoraceGreenley · 56-60, M
How many times do we have to try and fail before we give up on this nonsense?
katielass · F
Only if you don't value your human rights.
Jentlemen · 46-50, M
I like the way you're thinking
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