Marx`s Labour Essays - Marxist Theory, Marxism, Karl Marx

Marx`s Labour Description: This paper discusses Marx's argument on "estranged labour." This is a rather microcosmic topic but it is important because estranged labour is the basis for all of Marx's writing, most importantly, 'The Communist Manifesto.' Revealing Marx In Karl Marx's early writing on "estranged labour" there is a clear and prevailing focus on the plight of the labourer. Marx's writing on estranged labour is and attempt to draw a stark distinction between property owners and workers. In the writing Marx argues that the worker becomes estranged from his labour because he is not the recipient of the product he creates. As a result labour is objectified, that is labour becomes the object of mans existence. As labour is objectified man becomes disillusioned and enslaved. Marx argues that man becomes to be viewed as a commodity worth only the labour he creates and man is further reduced to a subsisting animal void of any capacity of freedom except the will to labour. For Marx this all leads to the emergence of private property, the enemy of the proletariat. In fact Marx's writing on estranged labour is a repudiation of private property- a warning of how private property enslaves the worker. This writing on estranged labour is an obvious point of basis for Marx's Communist Manifesto. The purpose of this paper is to view Marx's concept of alienation (estranged labour) and how it limits freedom. For Marx man's freedom is relinquished or in fact wrested from his true nature once he becomes a labourer. This process is thoroughly explained throughout Estranged Labour. This study will reveal this process and argue it's validity. Appendant to this study on alienation there will be a micro-study which will attempt to ascertain Marx's view of freedom (i.e. positive or negative). The study on alienation in conjunction with the micro-study on Marx's view of freedom will help not only reveal why Marx feels labour limits mans freedom, but it will also identify exactly what kind of freedom is being limited. Estranged Labour Karl Marx identifies estranged labour as labour alien to man. Marx explains the condition of estranged labour as the result of man participating in an institution alien to his nature. It is my interpretation that man is alienated from his labour because he is not the reaper of what he sows. Because he is never the recipient of his efforts the labourer lacks identity with what he creates. For Marx then labour is "alien to the worker...[and]...does not belong to his essential being." Marx identifies two explanations of why mans lack of identity with labour leads him to be estranged from labour. (1) "[The labourer] does not develop freely his physical and mental energy, but instead mortifies his mind." In other words labour fails to nurture mans physical and mental capacities and instead drains them. Because the worker is denied any nurturing in his work no intimacy between the worker and his work develops. Lacking an intimate relation with what he creates man is summarily estranged from his labour. (2) Labour estranges man from himself. Marx argues that the labour the worker produces does not belong to him, but to someone else. Given this condition the labourer belongs to someone else and is therefore enslaved. As a result of being enslaved the worker is reduced to a "subsisting animal", a condition alien to him. As an end result man is estranged from himself and is entirely mortified. Marx points to these to situations as the reason man is essentially estranged from his labour. The incongruency between the world of things the worker creates and the world the worker lives in is the estrangement. Marx argues that the worker first realizes he is estranged from his labour when it is apparent he cannot attain what he appropriates. As a result of this realization the objectification of labour occurs. For the worker the labour becomes an object, something shapeless and unidentifiable. Because labour is objectified, the labourer begins to identify the product of labour as labour. In other words all the worker can identify as a product of his labour, given the condition of what he produces as a shapeless, unidentifiable object, is labour. The worker is then left with only labour as the end product of his efforts. The emerging condition is that he works to create more work. For Marx the monotonous redundancy of this condition is highly detrimental because the worker loses himself in his efforts. He argues that this situation is analogous to a man and his religion. Marx writes, "The more

The Eastern Red Cedar and Other Popular Christmas Trees

The Eastern Red Cedar and Other Popular Christmas Trees Americans buy about 20 million real Christmas trees  each holiday season, most at retail lots and Christmas tree farms. Depending on where you live, the kind of evergreen youll find will vary. In fact, there are dozens of evergreens native to the U.S. Cant decide which one you like best? The trees below are some of the most popular Christmas varieties. Fraser Fir The  Fraser fir  is perhaps the most popular variety of Christmas tree because it is hardy enough to survive being cut and shipped across long distances. The Fraser is a native southern fir and grows at elevations above 5,000 feet. The tree has excellent needle retention along with a pleasing piney scent. The Fraser fir was named for Scottish botanist John Fraser, who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700s. Douglas Fir The  Douglas fir  is another common variety of Christmas tree found throughout the central and northern U.S. It is not a true fir and has its own unique species classification. Unlike those of true firs, the cones of the Douglas fir hang downward. They have a sweet scent when crushed. The tree was named after David Douglas, who studied the tree in the 1800s. Balsam Fir The Balsam fir is a beautiful pyramidal tree with short, flat, long-lasting aromatic needles. The Balsam fir and the Fraser fir have many similar characteristics and some botanists consider them extensions of the same species. However, balsams prefer cool climates and are native to the northeastern U.S. and Canada. They have a nice, dark green color and are very fragrant. The Balsam fir was named for the balsam or resin found in blisters on its bark, which was used to treat wounds during the Civil War. Colorado Blue Spruce The  Colorado blue spruce  is most familiar to people as an ornamental landscape tree. It has dark green to powdery blue needles and a pyramidal form when young. The Colorado blue spruce is very often sold as a living Christmas tree,  which includes an entire root ball and can be planted after the holidays. Its also popular because it rarely sheds its needles indoors. The spruce was chosen in 1978 and planted as the official living White House Christmas tree and is the state tree of both Utah and Colorado. Scotch Pine The  Scotch pine  is one of the most popular Christmas tree species because it rarely sheds its needles and has excellent water retention when cut. The Scotch pine is not native to America; its origins are European. It was first used in reforestation efforts in the New World. The Scotch pine tree has stiff branches and dark green needles that are retained for four weeks. Its aroma is long-lasting and lingers through the entire holiday season. Eastern Red Cedar The  Eastern red cedar  is a popular Christmas tree in the southern U.S., where it is a native species. This evergreen isnt a true cedar; its a member of the juniper family. Unlike some species that must be pruned regularly to maintain the traditional cone shape, the Eastern red cedar comes by its pyramidal crown naturally. The trees ease of maintenance makes it a favorite at cut-your-own tree farms. Its needles are a dark, shiny green color and sharp and prickly to the touch. White Spruce The white spruce is native to the northeastern U.S. and Canada, and one of the most common varieties sold as Christmas trees in that region. Like the Eastern red cedar, the white spruce has a natural conical shape that makes it easy for tree farmers to maintain. Its a common  choice for cut-your-own farms. However, some people dont like white spruce trees because they tend to shed their needles, which have an unpleasant odor. On the plus side, the trees thick branches make it ideal for heavy ornaments. Eastern White Pine The  Eastern white pine  has been valued as a timber tree for centuries, and it is commonly sold in the mid-Atlantic states as a Christmas tree. Because this variety of evergreen has very little scent, it is popular with people who suffer from tree-related allergies. Eastern white pines have excellent needle retention and stout branches to support heavy decorations. White or Concolor Fir The White fir, sometimes called the concolor fir, is known for its long, blue-green needles, excellent needle retention, and pleasing pine scent. Its commonly sold as a Christmas tree in California, where it is a native species. Virginia Pine The Virginia pine is a newcomer to many Christmas tree lots, particularly in the South. This variety was developed as a heat-tolerant alternative to the Scotch pine and has only recently been used as a Christmas tree. The Virginia pine has wide tufts of soft needles ranging from dark green to gray in color. Its limbs are stout with woody branches.