Alienation And Pre-Capitalism, Labor And Social Class, By Karl Marx

Karl Marx, who had a profound impact in sociology, raised political and economic awareness, Throughout his writings, he explains the effect production has on society and explores the relationships between different social classes. Marx shows the vital role labor plays in social hierarchy and reminds readers of the negative attributes associated with labor. Karl Marx provides commentary on labor and social classes, which is seen in “Alienation and Social Class,” “Classes in Capitalism and Pre-Capitalism,” and “Ideology and Class.”
In his first chapter, “Alienation and Social Class,” Marx explains how labor devalues men. Marx begins his argument by stating that “the worker becomes poorer the more wealth he produces” (Marx 87). In other words, as the worker creates more products, he or she simultaneously
Marx begins his argument by examining society during the colonization time period. During this time, Columbus discovered the new world, which allowed European countries to have a prosperous and flourishing economic system. There was an increase in exchange of goods and riches. Ultimately, this change caused a rapid development in society. As markets flourished, the distinction between the bourgeoisie and proletariat was also increasing at the same rate. The proletariat became a commodity and were seen as slaves. Bourgeoise manufacturers overlooked laborers, who toiled lengthy hours. Marx also explains how “differences of age and sex” were irrelevant for workers. Proletariats lost their indivual identity and were seen as one entity. Due to this unjust treatment, proletariats “ form[ed] combinations against bourgeois” (Marx 98), also known as unions. These unions eventually expanded to form a political party. One accomplishment of the proletariat political party was the passing of the ten-hour bill, which Marx described to be “revolutionary” (Marx