First off, thank you, Dr. Craig, for taking the time to explain Marxism through examples in our society today. As you shared your experience in “the trendy clothing store,” one could already see the irony in placing a book about communism in the middle of trendy clothing. I have also seen displays such as these in stores and unfortunately, these tactics probably work. Too many times have I seen bumper stickers declaring the corruption of the government on Infiniti’s and Lexus’, and similar buttons cursing our economy on designer bags. These ways of rebelling against the government, which seem ironically supported by the government, allow the working class to feel like it is making a difference while it is in fact supporting the very government it opposes.
Dr. Craig also mentions this: “When the ruling class convinces working people that corporate profits are actually a good sign for all – all boats rise in the rising tide sort of thing – it encourages them to believe in the virtues of an economic system that does not have their best interest in mind. The more they follow this line of thinking, the more deeply mired they become in the very socio-cultural and political conditions that limit their ability to achieve economic success under capitalism.” When I read this, the first thing that came to mind was interpolation in a hegemonic system (but please correct me if I’m wrong.) The working class is convinced through these tactics by the government that it is actually being looked after and that it is possible to rise above. I’ll use the idea here of “The American Dream.” We hear politicians praising the American Dream and ironically enough we also hear the working class praise the ability to rise above with hard work and stamina. We can see interpolation here through the working class actually believing that they are rising above a system with the result of oppressing itself in that very system. The capitalist government thrives on this because as a result to the working class oppressing themselves, the possibility of rebellion is weak and the working class, working harder to rise above the system, actually increases productivity in the industry, only benefiting the government.
So I feel like I have a good grasp on the concept. Although I could be wrong, and if I am, comment and help me!
Thanks again, Dr. Craig.
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Thank you for your post. Overall, you've done a good job explaining some aspects of my own post. I particulary like your reference to the American Dream. You're right. In advertisements, TV shows, magazine covers, newspaper articles, and all the rest, working class Americans are taught to see themselves as they should be. These forms of media often represent a standard of living that is incompatible with the actual conditions in which most working class folks live. As a result, they strive to achieve unattainable living conditions. In the process, they drive themselves into dept, place excessive stress on themselves, all the while making the rich richer. Of course, there are people who are fighting back. The situation is far from hopeless and with any luck the economic mess created by both the Clinton and Bush administrations will compel the masses to begin to confront the ruling class assault on the quality of their lives (otherwise known as class warfare).
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