I believe that a Marxist view on poverty has some positive outcomes, but I also believe that it has negative side as well.
A Marxist view on poverty says, poverty will never be fixed or reduced because capitalism needs poverty. Poverty helps keeps wages down and profits up. When people are poor, they will accept low wages to purchase basic necessities, and when there are many poor people; one of the ways they will compete for jobs is by working for lower wages then the other person. (Mullaly, 2007. Pg. 147)
In my opinion this is an example of one of the negative sides. I don’t really think that this is fair, I think poor people accept the low wages because that’s all they can get, and they don’t want to have to necessarily rely on the welfare state to provide for them.
With the rise of capitalism, Karl Marx saw the increasing degradation of industrial workers who had no control over their work process or product and who had to live in squalor, insecurity and poverty. (Mullaly, 2007. Pg. 138)
Marxists believe that people are creative producers, and that it changes in different social contexts, becoming competitive under capitalism and co-operative under socialism. Marxist’s believe the society needs to produce its basics (food, shelter, etc.) and people are entitled to social and economic goods based on their needs, not the worth of their work. (Mullaly, 2007. Pg. 140)
This is an example of a positive side, I think that is a good thing, it shouldn’t matter if you have tons of money, were able to achieve a higher level of education and have an amazing job; or if you don’t have very much money and just have a high school education; everyone needs the basics and everyone should be given an equal opportunity to receive these basics.
Marxist believe that by focusing on the victims of inequality, oppression and alienation and calling them criminals, drug addicts, or poor people, we are actually labelling them as troublemakers. Marxists would trace these problems back to the social problem, not the individual. (Mullaly, 2007. Pg. 148)
With that said, Marxists think that everyone should have a fair chance of making a standard of living and being able to provide for themselves and their families. It’s good that everyone is getting a chance, and I like that it says they would trace the problem back to the social problem, not the individual because it may not be there fault.
-Jessica
Mullaly, B. (2007). The new structural social work (3rd Ed.) Toronto: Oxford University Press.
I like the social aspect of marxism a lot better than the liberal and neoconservative view. I like that marxism traces problems back to the social aspects and not the individual's problem because it wouldn't be fair if it wasn't the individuals fault and they were getting blamed for the problem. I completely agree with your view!
ReplyDeleteDora
I never realised the negative part of marxism, I don't think it's fair either. I find it sad that some people think that all they can get is low wages. Even though it may be true that a person with little money has to accept the low wages, I believe part of it is in their mindset that they don't think they are worth higher wages. Sort of like the "Power of Positive thinking". I like what you wrote about tracing the problem back to the social problem, I agree it isn't always the individuals fault.
ReplyDelete-Nicole (Nikki) S.
I agree with your point of view and I like the marxist approach. I think it is a better way to run a society. Everyone should have their needs met as much as possible. They deserve a chance to make a good standard of living to meet their needs and help to provide for their family. Poverty is a social problem and should not be blamed on the individual.
ReplyDeleteLori
I also agree that it isn't fair for individuals to feel that there incapable of deserving more. I like how the Marxists don't blame the individuals but the social problem. Overall i think you did a good job highlighting these key points!
ReplyDeleteHannah
Good points on Marxism. I had no clue what this meant until this class. Are there any examples of Marxism ideologies being played out in Winnipeg?
ReplyDeleteBtittany
Brittany, I tried to look into it and couldn't find any information. Maybe some one else knows?
ReplyDelete-Jessica
Good post! I never realized this other side of the marxism perspective on poverty. I agree that this isn't the individuals fault, it can be linked to many things. People who grow up in a middle class or higher class family, have a better chance of living out of poverty then the people who don't have never had that head start.
ReplyDeleteJenn S