They hate us because they ain't us
Karl Marx, in his analysis of capitalism, argued that the capitalist system would eventually collapse due to inherent tensions between the working class (proletariat) and the owning class (bourgeoisie). Marx believed that capitalism inherently deepens inequalities, systematically making the rich richer and the poor poorer. Ultimately, according to Marx, this would lead to class consciousness and revolution, driven by workers’ resentment and opposition toward the exploitation by the capitalist class.
Thorstein Veblen offered a different perspective. While Marx viewed workers’ resentment as fundamentally driven by exploitation and inequality, Veblen argued the resentment was less about the mere fact of exploitation and more about relative status and comparative consumption. According to Veblen, workers are not angry simply because the capitalist class is wealthy; instead, their frustration stems from their own inability to achieve similar levels of wealth and social status. And no amount of increase in the absolute real income of individuals can relieve these tensions, for individuals want more than others, not just more.
Veblen’s perspective could simply be summarized as, “They hate us because they ain’t us.”
@javohirakramov
Karl Marx, in his analysis of capitalism, argued that the capitalist system would eventually collapse due to inherent tensions between the working class (proletariat) and the owning class (bourgeoisie). Marx believed that capitalism inherently deepens inequalities, systematically making the rich richer and the poor poorer. Ultimately, according to Marx, this would lead to class consciousness and revolution, driven by workers’ resentment and opposition toward the exploitation by the capitalist class.
Thorstein Veblen offered a different perspective. While Marx viewed workers’ resentment as fundamentally driven by exploitation and inequality, Veblen argued the resentment was less about the mere fact of exploitation and more about relative status and comparative consumption. According to Veblen, workers are not angry simply because the capitalist class is wealthy; instead, their frustration stems from their own inability to achieve similar levels of wealth and social status. And no amount of increase in the absolute real income of individuals can relieve these tensions, for individuals want more than others, not just more.
Veblen’s perspective could simply be summarized as, “They hate us because they ain’t us.”
@javohirakramov