Recent orders
technology vendors
independent research organizations
Poilitics and Anti-Capitalism
Alternative to capitalism
Name
Institution
Course
Tutor
Date
Bishop 2000 has defined capitalism as the modern, market-oriented, commodity-producing economic system controlled by ‘capital’, that is, purchasing-power used to hire labour for wages. The term was first used prominently, and pejoratively, by Perelman 2000, but for defenders of the system it has become a term of praise (Bishop, 2000). The question whether it is morally permissible for the state to execute any of its citizens and, if so, under what circumstances, has been debated by philosophers, sociologist, and politicians ever since (Aslund, 2007). The paper discuses the reasons why economists, theoreticians and politicians argue that there is no alternative to capitalism. The principal arguments in their favor are illustrated. The paper ends with the reasons why I agree that capitalism do not have an alternative (Bowles, 2007).
If what is crumbling in the East is the only possible alternative to capitalism, as many people believe, then trying to develop different economic vision is futile. On the other hand, if what is crumbling is only one horribly flawed alternative to capitalism, as minorities of critics have been claiming, trying to find a superior alternative makes sense (Eyal, Szelenyi, & Townsley, 2000).
Bishop 2000 (p. 46) sees the origin of capitalism in the forcible expropriation of European peasants and small artisan during the later Middle Age, leading to a separation amid the bourgeoisie or capital class, who privately own the means of production, and the proletarians, can live only by selling their labour powers to members of the bourgeoisie. “Ownership of the means of production gives the bourgeoisie a decisive bargaining advantage over the proletariat, which shows itself in the form of the profit and interest on capital, resulting from the exploitation of wage labor” (Nee & Svedberg, 2008, p. 102). One central claim of Milton Friedman is that capitalism has been responsible for a colossal growth in humanity’s productive capabilities. Another is that capitalism has an inherent tendency to accumulate, concentrate social power in the hands of the capitalist class and bringing the explored working class more and more under its economic domination (Downing, 2007). The potential for a higher society and a better life which capitalism has made possible can be realized for the vats majority only if the workers are emancipated from the domination of capital.
Defenders of capitalism deny that the charge that wage laborers are exploited, citing the indispensable economic functions performed by capitalist, such as managerial and supervisory labour, saving, and the assumption of risks. Critics of capitalism respond that in principle there is no reas9n why these functions must be performed by capitalist (Braithwaite, 2008). Workers need not be supervised by those who represent interest antagonistic to theirs: capitalist typically bear fewer burden of deprivation than workers do for the sake of social saving, and if capitalists are rewarded for risk-taking, the system offers no similar rewards to workers, who nevertheless risk losing their livelihood when an enterprise fails. They see capitalists as ‘reward’ for performing greater control over production, saving, and risk-taking, hence putting them in a position to reap the fruits of economic co-operation, accumulation, and good fortune. Profit and interest on capital are not rewards for managing, saving, and risk-taking, but rather consequences of capital’s social power to exploit labor (Perelman, 2000). To these defenders, I and maybe you reply that the failure of the Soviet system reveals capitalism to be the most efficient way yet discovered to mange a modern economic system. “To grant this point, however, is not in the least to concede that capitalism is not exploitative, only that we have yet top find an efficient modern economic system which does not exploit workers” (Nee & Svedberg, 2008, p. 102). “It is doubtless as a troubling fact that we have not, but this fact provides us with no reason for feeling any loyalty to the capitalism system and leaves untouched the basic reason to seek an alternative to capitalism” (Bowles, 2007, p.08).
Exchange for capitalism is truly charitable only when almost equivalent alternative exists. “Monopoly implies the absence of alternative and thereby inhibits effective freedom of exchange. In practice, monopoly (as brought about by capitalism) frequently, if not generally, arises from government support or from collusive agreements among individuals,” (Braithwaite, 2008, p. 09). With respect to these, the problem is either to avid governmental fostering such as those embodied in our anti-trust laws. “However, monopoly may also arise because it is technically efficient to have a single producer or enterprise,” (Downing, 2007, p. 13).
When technical conditions make a monopoly the natural outcome of competitive market forces, there are only three alternatives that seem to be available: private monopoly, public monopoly, or public regulation. “All three are bad so we must choose among evils,” Eyal et al. 2000, (p 25), observing public regulation of monopoly in the United States, found the result so distasteful that he concluded public monopoly (hence capitalism) is less evil. Perelman 2000 a noted German liberal observing public monopoly in German railroads, found the result also found distasteful that he concluded public regulation would be lesser evil. Of society were static so that the conditions which give rise to a technical monopoly and hence capitalism were sure to remain, I would have little confidence in this solution (Perelman, 2000, p. 29). In a rapidly changing society, however, the condition making for technical monopoly frequently change and I suspect that both public regulation and public monopoly are likely to be less responsive to such changes in conditions, to be less readily capable of elimination, than private monopoly.
The simplest approach to definition of capitalism to that of political freedom, in terms of the absence of coercion, particularly (but not exclusively) the coercion of the centralized state. Capitalism in this context is characterized by the existence of alternatives (Aslund, 2007, p.45). As soon as alternatives exist, there can be no coercion simple competition among close options which are independent implies choice and subsequently a minimization of cost to the individual involved (Bowles, 2007, p.08).
The ‘range of choice’ freedom is the concept usually employed by economists since most easily fit their framework of analysis. Other definitions have been used in different contexts however. These assumptions are crucial to the analysis since all that is contained in Capitalism and freedom can be related and explained in terms of them (Downing, 2007, p. 13). The immediate corollary is that the interactions of free individual results in an optimal situation for society. According to Braithwaite 2008 for example, no one can be made better off without making at least one other individual worse off. Of course, the claims are true and furthermore. Monopoly and capitalism are created by us. I therefore fully agree that capitalism cannot be terminated.
Bibliography
Aslund, A. (2007). How capitalism was built: The transformation of Central and Eastern
Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. Cambridge University Press Publishers.
Bishop, J. D. (2000). Ethics and capitalism. University of Toronto Press Publishers, NY.
Bowles, P. (2007). Capitalism. New York. Pearson/Longman Publisher.
Braithwaite, J. (2008). Regulatory capitalism: how it works, ideas for making it work better.
New York. Edward Elgar Publishing Publisher.
Downing, D. (2007). Capitalism. Washington DC. Heinemann Publisher.
Eyal, G. Szelenyi. I., & Townsley, E. (2000). Making capitalism without capitalists: Class
formation and elite struggles in post-communist Central Europe. New York. Verso Publisher.
Nee, V. & Svedberg, R. (2008). On capitalism. New York. Stanford University Press Publisher.
Perelman, M. (2000). The invention of capitalism: classical political economy and the secret
history of primitive accumulation. New York. Publisher, Duke University Press.
Poetry Assignment Part Two Chess by Rosario Castellanos
Name:
Institution:
Course:
Tutor:
Date:
Poetry
Poetry Assignment Part Two: Chess by Rosario Castellanos
I picked the poem because of its simplicity with respect to style and meaning. It is certain that the author’s choice of words is exemplary. In particular, they can be easily understood by different audiences and succeeds in relaying the message at the same time. There is rhyme in the poem that gives it a rhythmic effect and therefore makes it easy to memorize as well as remember. The arresting phrase in this poem is “We’ve been sitting here for centuries, meditating ferociously”. This had an impact on the reader as it exhibited the inherent indecision that the two parties were faced with. It keeps the reader guessing about the effects of this last step on the relationship of the two parties.
Notably, they share a close love relationship that the poem gives an illusion that it could be compromised by the results of this game. It is a reflection of the daily relationships in which there is competition but none wants to accept defeat. The main theme in the poem is indecision that then culminates in suspense. Parties are undecided on how to end the game because of the underlying implications of the results. The author cites that the respective parties have taken centuries meditating about the expected impacts. This implies that the effects are likely to have far reaching implications on their welfare.
At the Mosque by Chairil Anwar
I chose this poem because of the uniqueness of the religious aspect that is associated with it. In this, the persona exemplifies great courage and persistence when he decides to enter a fight with the Higher Power. It is certain that this decision had immense implications on his welfare, considering the fact that the deity has always assumed an elevated social status (Robinson 45). The fact that the fight takes place in the mosque is an indication that the speaker is a daring person. Essentially, a mosque is considered a holy place where the Higher Power resides and therefore should be at its best with respect to power and intellect.
The phrase “all my strength struggles to extinguish him” implies that the speaker had made the decision to pursue this fight whole heartedly. Put differently, it implies that the persona is dedicated on meeting his goal. This has a direct effect on the audience who are invited to share in the experience of the speaker during the fight. Arguably, it evokes mixed feelings of fear and pity as human are considered to be lee powerful than the Higher Power. Further this is an indication of persistence and consistence in behavior and decision making as s/he is the one who “shouted at Him until He came”. The theme of courage and persistence is inherent in this poem and these characters are typical of the speaker.
A Pity. We were such a Good Invention by Yehuda Amichai
I chose this poem because of the pathological effect that it has on the audience. This has been attained by the author’s choice of words such as ‘amputated’ and ‘dismantled’ implies great pain and suffering. It cannot be disputed that the pain and suffering associated with amputation and separation is significant. In addition, amputation in this case implies that there is no possibility of their reunion and the situation is hopeless (Amichai 68). It is certain that the reader feels sorry for the persona because of the anguish that he has to endure. On the other hand use of the phrase ‘such a good and loving invention’ implies that the affected parties were compatible and shared a strong love relationship.
The arresting phrase in this regard is “A pity’. This actually evokes feelings of sympathy and concern from the audience. It can be argued that this drives the point home- that man and wife have been separated without their consent. The audience is finally informed about that implications of the separation and made to appreciate that it is hurtful. The theme of this poem is separation. All through the poem, the persona underscores the impacts of his separation from his wife and manages to evoke feelings of sympathy from the audience.
Hamlet by Wole Soyinka
I chose this poem because of the fact that it is a reflection of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Essentially, Shakespeare’s work is respected within the literary cycles because of its timeless themes and distinctive style. The author underscores the theme of revenge that was perpetuated by Hamlet. He also mentions the external factors such as ghosts that influenced the decision of the protagonist. In this regard, it can be posited that by writing this poem, Wole Soyinka was appreciating Shakespearean literature and themes.
This implies that Shakespeare’s works were undoubtedly credible and influenced other writers too, apart from the audience. The phrase in this poem that has a great impact on the audience is ‘passionless he set a stage’. This sets the stage for revenge and can be considered a turning point of the persona. he decides to pursue the vengeful activities that have been harbored in his mind. Notably, he eliminates passion and replaces it with hatred in order to carry out the activities with ease and without any form of guilt (Ojaide 53). The main theme that has been explored in this poem is hatred. This influences the persona to plan for vengeful activities through the elimination of doubt and revulsion of his target.
The Pebble by Zbigniew Herbert
I chose this poem because of the exemplary message and distinct description that it accords “The Pebble”. The author capitalizes on the style of description to inform the reader of the ideal attribute of the pebble and evoke feelings of desire. The choice of the poem was out of curiosity to understand the relative attributes of this perfect Pebble. At this point, it should be appreciated that the current world is compounded by various complexities that make it impossible for an individual to attain perfection. In addition, pollution and other anthropogenic processes have made it impossible for anything to be perfect. The arresting phrase in this poem is “filled exactly/ with a pebbly meaning”.
Notably, this can be considered a summary of the entire poem. The attributes that the author accords the pebble are essentially used to define it. Therefore, it can be argued that they are just different constituents of the pebble that cannot define it better that its entire meaning. The main theme in this poem is the steadfastness or consistency (Wislawa 37). The author ascertains that the pebble is perfect and cannot be tamed. This implies that it cannot be influenced by external forces at any given time. It is a perfect creature that maintains this status at all times.
Poetry Assignment Part Three
Hamlet by Wole Soyinka
I chose this poem over the other four because of the fact that it is a reflection of a theme that has been handled by other writers in the past. In particular, it explores the work of Shakespeare that was presented in his play Hamlet. It is a direct reflection and the prominent theme in the poem is hatred and revenge, which corresponds to the theme that was presented by Shakespeare. From a historical point of view, Shakespeare is an artist that has been credited for his great works through time. The timeless nature of his themes has made it possible for these to be explored through time by different audiences. Currently, most of his works are considered classical and are still invaluable in literary circles.
Another factor that made me to choose this poem for analysis is the fact that it has been written by a credible author. It cannot be disputed that Wole Soyinka is a dominant writer especially of African literature. He has been accredited for authoring a host of plays and other literary works such as poems and even articles. He has won various awards both in Africa and abroad and notably, his works are very influential. In particular, most of his works have been employed for analysis in learning institutions at different levels.
Basically, Wole Soyninka is a respected author because of his proven record of producing high quality products with respect to literature. This implies that he understands and appreciates the dynamic of literature. Perhaps this can be used to explain why he explored a theme that had already been evaluated by Shakespeare. It can be posited that he was impressed with this work and sought to preserve it in another form. At this point, it is worth noting that the decision to analyze this poem was partly influenced by the fact that Wole Soyinka is a credible writer whose decisions regarding literature are reliable and can be trusted.
Also, the dramatic nature of the theme of hatred and revenge influenced me to choose to analyze this poem. Essentially, individuals that choose to pursue revenge are usually triggered by various factors that are likely to have had far reaching implications on their welfare. Research indicates that a critical background analysis of any piece o literature pursuing such themes always ascertains the occurrence of dramatic events that could have made the speaker to pursue the same. In this case, the poem was easy to understand because I am well versed with the historical background information about it.
This is available in the play Hamlet by Shakespeare that has been handled earlier on. The fact that it made it possible for me to discern the various factors contributing to the pursuance of the theme made it desirable for analysis. Basically, I have a clear understanding of the background of both Shakespeare and Wole Soyinka and I appreciate their pieces of work. Their personal contribution to this poem is credible as it has created a piece of literary work that is of exemplary quality.
Poetry Assignment Part Four: The Essay
Hamlet by Wole Soyinka
From a historical point of view, it is indicated that Wole Soyinka wrote the poem while in prison and it was geared towards underscoring the suffering that he endured during this time. Notably, the author pays particular emphasis on the inability of Hamlet to make a viable as well as timely decision that would solve the problem at hand in a sustainable manner. Regardless of the fact that he loved his father so much, he did not take any practical steps to revenge according to his will. In other words, he did not demonstrate his love for his father because he failed to grant his wishes. This inability culminated in increased guilt and aggravated the situation even more.
Soyinka criticizes the speaker by indicating that he wasted time addressing abstractions as opposed to revenging accordingly. Essentially, he dealt with the challenges that his uncle posed and failed to address the issue head on. For example he postponed killing his uncle when the latter was praying on the premise that he would go to heaven as opposed to heal. Instead of using his emotional status that could have enabled him to pursue revenge effectively and in a timely manner, Soyinka cites that hamlet lay undue emphasis on passionless activities that did not yield much.
In this regard, Soyinka was implying that this situation required actions that were beyond rational thought. Hamlet wasted a significant period of time thinking about the best action and as a result failed to avenge the death of his father accordingly. From his point of view, Soyinka believed that the death of Hamlet’s father was not avenged regardless of the fact that his ghost had instructed Hamlet to do this. As such, Hamlet has been cited to have disregarded his father’s directive and therefore failed to perform his duty as a son. Soyinka contends that Hamlet only gave up thinking and assumed an “acceptable’ way of dealing with this situation when he was almost dying. Even at this point, the author maintains that Hamlet only responded to his uncle’s attempt to kill him as opposed to avenging his father’s murder (Ojaide 88).
Emergent research indicates that Hamlet was a representation of Soyinka’s suffering in prison. Arguably, he shows that Hamlet deserved to suffer because of his inability to respond to his father’s will promptly. On the other hand, he justifies his activities and blames the nature of governance for his being in prison for that specific time. The author employs the first person narrative because of the fact that he was surrounded by lonesome conditions in the prison. This has been effective in development of the tone of the poem. The tone that is assumed by the speaker can be considered to be both critical and self dramatizing.
With respect to the former, it is certain that the author sought to portray the then federal government as being mean and hypocritical. He likens the activities of the government to Hamlet’s and blames the same for his suffering. The inherent hesitancy and inability to take action promptly were being implicated for the author’s overstay in the prison (Ojaide 91). With respect to the self dramatizing tone, it is certain the author makes significant efforts to defend himself against the accusations. He tries to justify his activities and blames the government for the conditions that he was in.
With regard to literary styles, the author employs rhyme that is exemplified by words such as ‘doubts and points, clay and delay, stage and engage and so forth. These are important because they accord the poem a rhythmic or lyrical effect. Essentially, rhythm makes the poem to be appealing and easy to memorize. Memorization is important because it make the audience to remember the poem and its meaning accordingly.
This underscores the fundamental goal of the author with respect to keeping the audience informed about the various aspects. Different authors in the literary circles affirm that the fundamental goal of each writer is usually to be able to relay vital information to the audience. Making the audience to remember relative information and be able to employ the same for various purposes is usually at the center stage of all literary works. Soyinka manages to attain this through rhyme.
Another poetic device that has been used by the author is repetition. Examples of this include ‘the turn and turn abouts”. This has been used to emphasize the complicated approaches that Hamlet undertook in approaching the problem. Notably, they emphasize on the issue of hesitancy and the implications that this had on his ability to revenge his father’s murder (Ojaide 112). Usually, repetition is used to lay emphasis on a certain point and inform the author of its importance to the theme.
In addition, it creates a rhythmic effect that has different benefits with regard to understanding and appreciation of the poem. Finally, it is certain that the theme of revenge and hatred has been explored by Soyinka. Although he does not make it to revenge his father’s death, his activities and decisions are geared towards this. From Wole Soyinka’s perspective, it is can be argued that the theme of injustice is inherent. He is not only accused falsely but he also fails to get his trial in a timely manner.
Works Cited
Amichai, Yehuda. The Selected Poetry of Yehuda. California: University Press, 1996.
Ojaide, Tanure. Two Worlds: Influences on Poetry of Wole Soyinka. USA: St. Louis University, 1998.
Robinson, Edwin. Selected Poems. USA: Penguin Classics, 1997.
Wislawa, Szymborska. Poems: New and Collected. USA: Mariner Books, 2000.