In order to fully understand the concept of Marx’ class conflict and how it contribute to the shaping of capitalism, people need to grasp is definition of the term class. By definition class is ownership of properties. In line with ownership a person is given the power to exclude other people from a specific property and use it for his personal benefit. He also has to right to maximize that property in any way he deems beneficial on his end. This rationale suggests that more property a person has the more power he has over others. As a result, capitalism takes place because the control and wealth is centered only on people who are able to acquire properties. Given the concepts discussed, this only suggests that society is shaped by capitalism.
The definition and explanation by Marx is comprehensive because it showed that the primary reason why there is division in society is due to control and power distribution. I agree with the points he mentioned such as in society, we find almost everywhere a complex arrangement of orders that translated to the gradation of social rank (Marx and Engel p.3). Such observations are very applicable in today’s society because in our day to day encounters there is a divide that exists between people from different walks of life. According to Marx and Engel p 16 the bourgeoisie is defined as the class of modern capitalists, owners of the means of social production and employers of wage labourers. Meaning the capitalists has the power to dictate many things about the working conditions and benefits of his labourers.
In relation to this Marx envisions class relationship over time through the concept of ownership. Class creates formal relationship amongst people. It does not remain constant as there is a need for these existing relationships to have basis such as economic, political, cultural and civic grounds. For instance is the owner-worker relationship that is observed in the workplace. There is an observable power difference due to the level of authority and decision making prowess.
In reality, if Marx is alive today, in order to have his theory of capitalism and class inequality he will include global influence to his pieces of evidence. He will use this as an additional measure for class inequality since there are categories that differentiate countries such as developed and third-world categories. This is observed especially in the growing territorial disputes in various areas of the world. The more developed countries use their power to intimidate smaller countries that are also part of the territorial disputes. This power use is despite the efforts and interventions of international governing bodies. Some of the countries are using advanced equipments and military force to fend off small countries despite their legitimate claims to the territory.
In reality divide is nothing new in society. Even unconsciously people are classified based on various categories set by society. The difficult element is that these categories are often set by people in authority and power. It is challenging to arrest this power difference because people on top of the class pyramid do not want to relinquish their standing and as a result will do all measures to stay on the top even if there are times that they have to abuse their power. The people on the bottom of class pyramid are also having a hard time climbing out of their situation due to the minimal opportunities given to them. Again, these opportunities are held by people on top.
Reference:
Marx Karl & Engels Friedrich, Manifesto of the Communist Party, United Kingdom, 1872
