Silvan 1 If there is hope, it lies in the proles.

1 Today, more so than ever, is it can be seen that the proletariat or the '99%' are ready to take a stand. Due to the corrupt and manipulative nature of capitalism, it is likely that Marxism will return as a major political ideology in the 21st century. This can be seen by increased value of the human essence, the spread of wealth among the state, and by the overall improved standard of living by the Marxist ideology. People are beginning to realize that the power lies in the proles and that the bourgeoisie, or the '1%', are taking advantage of them. If these working class revolutions, and financial crises continue, capitalism will fall which will complete the first phase of the transition towards Marxism. This brings up the question; what if another ideology takes power? This is very unlikely. It has been seen in the past, and currently in the present that these ideologies end up as a capitalist system, or they don't function. Communism is the best way to avoid another Capitalist reign. Capitalism, by the very necessities of its own development, was bound to lead to polarization of economic classes and to the creation of a more powerful and class-conscious movement among the exploited.2 This is what has been happening in the western world and throughout Europe. The most recent, and well known tragedy that capitalism has created was the financial crisis in 2008. September 15th 2008, marks the day that the Lehman Brothers went bankrupt; the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S history.3 After this date, came the double dip recession that we are still suffering from today. The United States came scarily close to defaulting on it's debt, Greece is likely default, and there is potential that the Euro may cease to exist in the near future. If these events occur, they could have significant impacts on the worlds markets and currencies. Capitalism has cost millions of people their jobs, and put a stronghold on living a gratified life. Silvan 2
1 George Orwell, 1984 (London, Secker & Warburg, 1948) 60 2 G.D.H. Cole What Marx really Meant. (New York, Alfred.A.Knopf, 1934) 72 3 Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy Last Modified 16 Nov. 2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankruptcy_of_Lehman_Brothers

The responsibility for this begins in the early 1980's with the creation of the Reagan-Thatcher model also known as neoliberalism, which is the main idea behind Capitalism. Cap-i-tal-is-m - An economic system in which all or most of the means of production and distribution , land, factories, railroads, etc., are privately owned and operated for profit.4 When capital goods change ownership to private firms it is called privatization. It is found that when capitalism was created, the pursuit of profit began to drastically outweigh all other social considerations.5 The greed of these privatized firms staple the cash flow from society which then opens a gap between the rich and the poor, or bourgeoisie and proletariat respectively. This causes a problem where the majority of the wealth is held by a small amount of people in the society. This results in more poverty, unhappy working class, and decreased chances of ever reasonably balancing the wealth of a state. Since privatization is apparent today, the widening gap of wealth between classes fuels the urge to revolt. Another symptom of capitalism is globalization, which is seen to be the cause of the recent financial crisis. The concept of laissez-faire, translated to 'let be' is very important in globalization. Laissez-faire is a policy where there can be no intervening of government regulation in a free market.6 This makes international trade much easier. Globalization is commerce in free trade markets on an international scale to benefit from the competitive advantage of other countries to lower costs, which in turn grows profit. Given the decisive role that international financial capital plays in the fortunes of individual countries, it is not inappropriate to speak of a global capitalist system.7 In Developing countries, globalization increases the inequality of income. In advanced countries, the rich become richer and the median stay stagnant. Silvan 3 With all of this in mind, this generally shows how the 2008 financial crisis came to be. In the US,
4 5 6 7 Webster New World Dictionary of the American language Second college edition. Definition of: Capitalism, 210 George Soros, The Crisis of Global Capitalism, (New York, Perseus Book Group, 1998) 102 Webster New World Dictionary of the American language Second college edition. Definition of: Laissez Faire. 788 George Soros, The Crisis of Global Capitalism, (New York, Perseus Book Group, 1998) 101

median income persons were convinced by banks that they were were also benefiting from globalization through increased spending by widening accessible credit.8 This was done to make interest off of these median income buyers for profit. Because of this, buyers thought they could purchase big ticket items with this available credit. When credit was maxed and bills came in, they defaulted because they did not have the money. This sent a tidal wave of debt up the financial chain which turned into a national crisis, causing numerous controversial bankruptcies, and huge shifts in financial stability everywhere in the world. With major corporations manipulating people and destroying their financial stability, there is no wonder as to why actions such as the occupy movements are beginning to take place. When examining Russia, we can also see the brutality on a state that capitalism brings. The rapid increase in poverty, unemployment and misery is devastating society and has exposed capitalism as the real cause of this calamity to billions of suffering souls.9 From this article, we see how Russia is languishing from capitalism. The current upsurge has universally rejected capitalism, the dilemma facing the movement at large is determining the real character of the revolution and the alternative socioeconomic and political system that can transform society.10 Russia is currently in a very fortunate position. Capitalism is not a working system for their country and they have a chance to change. Russia has had a past with both communism, and Marxism (more recognized as Leninism). When Lenin took over the government in 1917, with his Russian communist party, they did in fact achieve lasting success.11 The flaw in the process that ended the party was that they skipped the capitalist segment of the Marxist theory. With Russia now experiencing the undesirable outcomes of capitalism, Marxism is Silvan 4 a very strong potential to be the next form of Russian government. Some would argue that Russia has already been communist briefly which gave it a bad reputation.
8 9 10 11 Howard Davies, The financial Crisis: Who's to Blame. (Cambridge, Polity Press, 2010) 14 Pakistan article,Bolshevism and the capitalist crisis today, (BBC,November 6th 2011) Ibid. Jonasson, Robert. Political Science Lecture notes. University of Western Ontario, 2011. WebCT.

Some would ask what about North Korea, and Vietnam or China, they're communist and bad countries aren't they? They are hardly communist in terms of the actual ideology of communism. North Korea itself has changed it's ideology from Marxist-Leninist to Juche, which is an ideology based on a countries self reliance.12 '(Marxism) is not about prices. It is an attempt to explain how labour is exploited under the capitalist system.'13 In the 21st Century, if North America, Russia transform towards a communist society the transition would go something like this. The main theory of Marxism is of complete social ownership. The conflict between the two classes will intensify due to the never ending troubles caused by capitalism; The revolutions will continue, and movements such as Occupy Wall Street will heat up. The working class would eventually attempt to overthrow the capitalist system, and replace it with a completely social, rather than private, ownership of the means of production.14 Ultimately, this would be much better for society. Due to the unplanned nature of capitalism, the true power of human production can not be accessed. This is because capitalism naturally leads to a crises of unemployment and depression,15 as seen in society today. When the fracture in the system is achieved, the proletariat would then likely go after the power of the state to justify the existence of the socialist system of production. This will likely be a very large revolution, because the capitalists will not give the state up easily. The bourgeoisie would be so minute to the proles because of the money stapling symptoms of capitalism that it would be near impossible to Silvan 5 defend the state. Eventually after a hard fought revolt, the socialist society will begin to form.

12 13 14 15

Communism Last Modified on 20 November 2011, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism G.D.H. Cole What Marx really Meant. (New York, Alfred.A.Knopf, 1934) 206 Mintz, Close, Croci. Politics, Power and the Common Good. (Toronto, Pearson Canada, 2011) 93 Ibid

Marx once said that the political revolution will not solve the social problem.16 The social problem generally has to do with Marx's theory of alienation of man from his human essence, or dehumanization by the cause of capitalism. This began with another theory that labour- or freely creative activity- was the essence of man.17 With the power of capitalism, man is to work for the profit of others and survival, not because it is in his nature to do so. He explained how no matter how limited in extent dehumanization may be, the suffering of those dehumanized was universal in nature.18 The proletariat is dehumanized by capitalism, it goes to show that the demand of the proletariat are also universal; not to be dehumanized. Once this is realized a emancipation from capitalism will occur. 'When We Forget Our Humanity, We Loose Our Common Unity'.19 Following the implementation of a social state, production soon follows. With the people working because of self enjoyment, not because they are mandated to do so, a certain pleasure arises from labour.20 With this motivated production, the supply for all of society can be met. All people will be working, and enjoying it, thus increasing their productivity. With this, it can be seen that physically, and mentally there is no poverty or starvation. All become wealthy in the way that everyone is living a productive (thus meaning happy), and necessity-satisfied life. When could this ever be said about capitalism? Once this has been solidified, a transition from socialism to communism takes place. Frederick Engels once stated Communism rests upon the irresponsibility of the individual.21 This is a very true Silvan 6 fact. It is nobodies responsibility to do anything by any means. The production of anything in the society is done by free will. As the society progresses very interesting events occur. The matter of economics

16 17 18 19

David W. Lovell. Marx's Proletariat. (London, Routledge, 1988) 95 David W. Lovell. Marx's Proletariat. (London, Routledge, 1988) 100 Ibid. 96 Popular Slogans. Last Modified Oct. 19Th 2011 http://www.occupytogether.org/discuss/#/discussion/724/many-newslogans 20 Ibid. 101. 21 Ibid. 100.

becomes basically futile. The supply can meet the demand at any equilibrium point because there is no use for price, because there is no use for profit, because there is no use to value an item.22 The value of the individual come from the productive manner in which they live their life. It's rather hard to experience a financial crisis when there is no economy, or finance. When looking back to the state of people in a capitalist society much like today, it is seen that people are unhappy. Poverty and starvation soar, and it seems as if the 'value' of life always has a price. Without the need of an economic system, other changes begin. Without economics, there is no profit and are no suppliers, or firms. Without firms, there is no need for a coercive state. The only reason a coercive state is necessary is to maintain private property.23 In communism, there is no private property. But as one could recall, the main basis of capitalism is to transition services and assets from social outlets to privatized owners. When the transition finally completes itself as a communist state, a highly productive, harmonious society is formed. Free of corruption, starvation, and capitalism. We are the 99%, we cant be bought, and we are not for rent .24 A popular slogan of the Occupy movements. What the people want is no more dehumanization, no more poverty, and an overall improved society. It can be seen in the 21st century that Marxism could provide all of this, free from the corruption, and manipulation found in capitalism. Arnold Ruge once said 'Individuals and groups will adopt the general standpoint once they become aware of it.'25 Marxism is that general standpoint. The 99% will soon rise, and Marxism will become a major ideology in the 21st century.

22 G.D.H. Cole What Marx really Meant. (New York, Alfred.A.Knopf, 1934) 210 23 Mintz, Close, Croci. Politics, Power and the Common Good. (Toronto, Pearson Canada, 2011) 94 24 Popular Slogans. Last Modified Oct. 19Th 2011 http://www.occupytogether.org/discuss/#/discussion/724/many-newslogans 25 David W. Lovell. Marx's Proletariat. (London, Routledge, 1988) 95

A Marxist Revolution in the Making

Austin Silvan

Political Science 1020E sec 551 Dr. Robert F. Jonasson November 22nd 2011

Bibliography

George Orwell, 1984. (London, Secker & Warburg, 1948)

G.D.H. Cole, What Marx really Meant. (New York, Alfred.A.Knopf, 1934) Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy Last Modified 16 Nov. 2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankruptcy_of_Lehman_Brothers Webster, New World Dictionary of the American language Second college edition George Soros, The Crisis of Global Capitalism. (New York, Perseus Book Group, 1998) Howard Davies, The financial Crisis: Who's to Blame. (Cambridge, Polity Press, 2010) Pakistan article,Bolshevism and the capitalist crisis today, The BBC November 6th 2011. Accessed November 13th 2011 Jonasson, Robert. Political Science Lecture notes. University of Western Ontario, 2011. WebCT. Communism Last Modified on 20 November 2011, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism Mintz, Close, Croci. Politics, Power and the Common Good. (Toronto, Pearson Canada, 2011) David W. Lovell. Marx's Proletariat. (London, Routledge, 1988 Popular Slogans. Last Modified Oct. 19Th 2011 http://www.occupytogether.org/discuss/#/discussion/724/many-new-slogans