Gaurav KumarAIR 34 · CSE 2017 · 243 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
According to Karl Marx, alienation is a class experience present in modern capitalist society. It is a byproduct of exploitative and inhuman conditions created by capitalism.
Body · continuous prose
In present day capitalism, technology is replacing manpower, automation has taken limelight which has resulted into alienation of workers from product, process of production and even the production environment. workers in industries (like automobile industry) are
engaged in monotonous routine work with no enthusiasm.
According to ROY COX, globalisation is also a form of neo-capitalism/colonialism where poor nations are facing alienation. similarly WALLERSTEIN'S world system theory advocates how Marxian theory of alienation is manifested in domination of periphery states by core developed countries.
Thus alienation is a product of rapid social change which is still experienced by individuals and classes at large.
However CRITICS like BRAVERMAN and JOHN SCOTT argue that managerial revolution is taking place whereby managers are continuously involved between capitalists and labourers and thus effectively removing alienation. Industries are experiencing LABOUR MONOPOLY through trade unions where no capitalist can carry business without appeasing them.
Similarly MANDELL argues that competitive and exploitative capitalism is replaced by collaborative
and welfaristic capitalism where there is no class alienation.
SEEMAN, OLLMAN, INKELS & SMITH also rejects Marxian theory of class alienation in present context and argue that alienation present today is ocupational, situational, environmental, psychological and personal experience and not class experience.
Close · a summary
Thus the 19th century theory of alienation by Marx is different from alienation of 21st century.