Essay On Estranged Labor
1. Compare and contrast Marx (& Engels) and/vs Durkheim on:
A. the ‘causes’ of the development of the division of labor and specialization of functions in
societies, and
B. the effects/implications of the development of the social division of labor for societies,
social groups within them, and their individual members.
2. Define ‘mechanical’ and ‘organic’ solidarity, according to Durkheim. Discuss the
(reciprocal) relationship between:
A. the extent of the division and specialization of labor/functions in a society and
B. the relative contribution of each type of solidarity in bonding/attaching individuals to each
other and to society (overall and/or various societies), according to Durkheim.
3. Compare and contrast “alienation” (as defined and discussed by Marx) and “anomie” (as
defined and discussed by Durkheim) as problematic features of societies like ours, or of
certain important sectors (e.g. the economy or commerce, industry, and finance) of them.
Discuss Marx and Durkheim’s proposed ‘remedies’ (or ‘solutions’) for the problematic feature
each focused on.
4. Analyze Marx (and Engels)’s description of, and predictions about, the formation of
proletarians into a solidary class (in the Communist Manifesto) using Durkheim’s concepts
of ‘mechanical’ and ‘organic’ solidarity.
5. Define Durkheim’s notion of collective conscience (or consciousness). What determines
the number of collective consciences that exist in a society, and their relations with one
another? What determines the strength of the effect of collective conscience(s) on (or control
over) individual consciences? What determines the kind of effect of such collective
consciences on the thoughts, sentiments and conduct of individuals? Discuss.
6. Is every social group, to some variable degree, ‘a Church’ according to Durkheim? What
determines the degree to which a social group is ‘a Church’ (according to Durkheim’s
definition of the term), its ‘Church-ness’, as it were? What are the effects on individuals (their
thoughts, sentiments, actions) of being ‘members of’ groups which are ‘Churches’ to a higher
degree vs. of groups which are ‘Churches’ to a lower degree? Discuss. (The relative
contribution of mechanical vs. organic solidarity in integrating a social group may be useful
here)
7. Under what circumstances, and in which types of societies, are ‘egoism’ and ‘anomie’
(rather than ‘altruism’ – i.e. ‘groupism’ – and ‘fatalism’) likely to be regularly occurring
problematic or pathological/abnormal social (and individual) states, according to Durkheim?
What must such societies (allow or seek to) develop in order to prevent, minimize, and remedy
such problematic social (and individual) states, according to Durkheim? (NB. This topic is
NOT about Durkheim’s attempted typology of suicide, and explanation of suicide rates)
8. Compare and contrast Marx (and Engels) and Durkheim on the possible causes and effects
of “nationalism”/patriotism in modern societies? Does the content of the national/country
ideals matter for the possible effects of nationalism/patriotism? Discuss.
9. What is the ultimate basis for ‘alienated labor’ in capitalist societies, according to Marx?
How are ‘alienated labor’ and the ‘fetishism of commodities’ connected according to Marx,
and how may they have different (even contradictory) effects on the consciousness of
‘proletarians’? Discuss.
10. Summarize Engels’ argument regarding the positions of, and relations between, men and
women in patriarchal (male supremacist) ‘monogamous’ (i.e. indissoluble) marriages.
Critically evaluate his analogizing of the relations between men and women in such marriages
to the relation between capitalists and proletarians. How does it strengthen or weaken his
analysis of gender, marriage and families?
11. Compare and contrast Marx and Durkheim on the ‘causes’ of ‘religion’ (as each defines it)
and the ‘effects’ of religion and religious life on individuals, groups, and societies in modern
settings.
12. Compare and contrast Marx (& Engels) and Durkheim on the effects of weakened,
inconsistent, or ‘too’ abstract and general, moral – including religious – and
legal/administrative (in short, social and cultural) regulation of economic (production,
distribution, exchange, consumption) life on individuals, groups and societies.
The American dream promises individuals to believe one can attain their goals in society and rise in status of life despite the presence of inequality. Many people today are becoming a slave for corporate giants losing touch with themselves. It is a growing problem in the political economy. People are devoted to their jobs more than their kids. An important concept of Karl Marx in the political economy investigates the relationship of economic players and their flaws. In his works, Marx emphasizes the predicament of the working class. There is a clear dividing line between workers and property owners. Oftentimes, people do not realize that they are used as objects to accomplish menial tasks. It becomes a cycle and repeats each day. The proletarians are modern-day slave unaware of what is upon them.
