The Marxist Ideal Cannot Work Essay -- essays research papers

The Marxist ideal, a highly appealing, almost Utopian society, is impossible to achieve due to the fact that it demands that the human mind be almost without flaws. It asks of society and its members to be absolutely without ranks, without greed or leadership. This has been clearly impossible for society. Each step to achieving a communist establishment has been, continues to be, and will be, in actuality, a step towards the totalitarian societies of past and current so-called communist countries. Communism became popular solely in under-developed countries, contrary to Marx's beliefs as to what should happen, and its rise in these countries was the beginning of its fall. Marx believed that the only way to overthrow capitalism was to create a revolution of the proletariat and in essence this revolution carries the cause even farther away from true communism. Equality is the next issue that Marx tackled, and in the communist ideal, it is absolutely crucial. In the real world of distorted ideologies, it hovers in the background. The ultimate in communist ideologies, however, is that eventually there will be no need for government. This essay will illustrate how, as communist societies in the real world progress, nothing could be further from the truth. Currently, communism, as exercised in the few Communist countries left in the world, is far from the Marxist ideal. From its beginnings to the present day and into the future, communism has become distorted into something that would be Marx's worst nightmare. Due to "quirks" in the human mind that just can't seem to be worked out, the Marxist ideal simply cannot work. Marx's prediction was that communism would prevail in the highly industrialized countries of Western Europe. Instead, it took place in Russia, a country troubled by its corrupt head of state. By definition a Communist revolt demanded an industrialized country as its focus, where a militant and organized proletariat had had a chance to develop. The revolution of 1917, however, exploded in Czarist Russia, one of the most backward countries in Europe.i Russia in the early 20th century was mainly agricultural, rather than industrial, but through their exasperation and strong leadership, the Communists prevailed. The head of stat... ...the ideal. However, Marx underestimated the way in which the human mind works. Without a doubt, the flaws in the minds of the leaders of the communist states that have existed, and continue to exist, have ensured that this ideal will never be realized. From the very beginnings of a communist state's existence, to the revolution that brings it about, to the equality that it lacks, and the impossibility of the ultimate ideal, Marx's vision is being distorted the whole way through the process. In theory, communism is a good idea. However, it fails to anticipate the flaws of the human mind. It is a good idea that doesn't work out well in practice. i Ellis, Harry B. (1972). Ideals and Ideologies: Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism. Nelson, Foster and Scott Ltd. Pg. 31 ii Marx, Karl and Engels, Friedrich. (1964). The Communist Manifesto. Monthly Review Press. Pg. 25. iii Ellis, Harry B. (1972). Ideals and Ideologies: Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism. Nelson, Foster and Scott Ltd. Pg. 31 iv Ellis, Harry B. (1972). Ideals and Ideologies: Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism. Nelson, Foster and Scott Ltd. Pg. 36

On Ayer and Sartre’s Philosophical Construct

At the onset of Ayer’s philosophical treatise, he clearly asserted that the absolute means of concluding the common philosophical disputes and cleavages is to elucidate the purpose of what is being asked, and then circumstantiate the property of philosophical enquiry through the utilization of logical constructs.Ayer defines logical construction as â€Å"if we can provide a definition in use showing how to get rid of a term ‘a’ in favor of other terms ‘b’, ‘c’, etc., then we may say that the thing supposedly referred to by ‘a’ is a logical construction out of the things referred to by ‘b’, ‘c’, etc. So, for example, tables are logical constructions out of sense-contents† (Ayer 3), which means that logical construction necessitates a referent of the object being perceive, thus metaphysical context is immaterial. Logical construction is the panacea for providing definitive definition for objects , which is also the ultimate task of philosophy.Logical construction for Ayer lays bare the foundation of proving the invalidity of metaphysics because the transcendent reality of such philosophy does not hold any truth at all, for intuition alone cannot suffice in concretizing that knowledge of it was deduced to man’s intuition and necessitated him to project the transcendent reality.This is a dismal argument for Ayer because it deems that every philosophical enquiry must start first on what the senses perceive. Thus in order for him to establish an argument that will lead to the elimination of metaphysics, as well as its other precepts such as intentionality, behavior and consciousness, Ayer intersperse logical construction in his treatise Language, Truth and Logic.For even if it is the case that the definition of a cardinal number as a class of classes similar to a given class is circular, and it is not possible to reduce mathematical notions to purely logical notions, it will still remain true that the propositions of mathematics are analytic propositions.They will form a special class of analytic propositions, containing special terms, but they will be none the less analytic for that. For the criterion of an analytic proposition is that its validity should follow simply from the definition of the terms contained in it, and this condition is fulfilled by the propositions of pure mathematics.[1]Ayer's counterarguments amount to an attempt to circumvent the intentionality of behavior by recourse to dispositions that can be defined as end-states of self-regulating systems.This is a modernized version of the old physicalist proposal to characterize motives not in terms of an intended meaning but as needs that we measure by organic states. Given this presupposition, we can describe the behavior to be analyzed without reference to the motive; the motive, which is also represented in observable behavior, can be understood as the initial condition in a lawf ul hypothesis and identified as the cause of the motivated behavior.I do not see, however, how the organic states, the needs, or the systemic conditions that represent end-states, thus the motives, are supposed to be describable at all on the level of social action without reference to transmitted meaning.Since, however, the description of motivated behavior itself also implies this meaning, that description cannot be given independently of motive. The proposed distinction between motive for behavior and motivated behavior itself remains problematic.[1] Ayer, A.J., Language, Truth and Logic. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, p. 108.

Wage Determination in Perfect and Imperfect Markets

Wage determination in perfect and imperfect markets Perfect competition In perfect labor markets, everyone is wage taker – both the employee and the employer. On the one hand, the employer and his firm cannot control the market as there are too numerous firms and the firm is price taker on the product market and labor market. On the other hand, the workers cannot control their wage as they have no economic power to do so or they are of a clearly definite type. In perfect competition there is a free movement of labor. Everyone can enter the labor market or to switch jobs. Moreover, both workers and employers have enough information on the labor market state – wages, demand, productive level of workers etc. The most common thinking in labor markets is that all workers in the same position are equally There are two driving forces concerning the supply of hours by an individual worker – while working, the worker sacrifices its leisure time and the work may be unpleasant. The worker experiences marginal disutility of work, which tends to increase as work hours increase. To deal with the marginal disutility of work, a wage could be raised. This would lead to people willing to work more hours in order to have a greater income and they are ready to sacrifice their leisure time or in other words the substitution effect appears. Still, with higher wages people tend to work less in order to have more leisure, which is the income effect and as a result we meet the backward-bending supply curve of labor. What determines wage rates in perfect competition is the number of qualified people, the wages and non-wage benefits in alternative jobs and the non-wage benefits or costs of the jobs. The wage of a worker is measured by the interaction of demand and supply in the labor market. A very useful tool for calculating the wage rate is the marginal productivity theory. As long as firms are concerned, they will try to maximize profit by employing workers until the marginal cost of employing a worker is equal to the marginal revenue the worker’s output earns for the firm. In other words, the wage should be equal to the marginal cost the firm has occurred by employing the last worker. According to time some differentiations might be made. In the short run expanding industries will be able to pay higher than contracting industries. In the long run there are wage differentials because workers have different abilities and they are not perfectly mobile. In conclusion, the low paid will be those whose labor is in low demand or high supply, they possess few skills or are unfit, work in contracting industries, do not want to move from the area etc. Highly paid are workers whose labor is in high demand or low supply, they have certain skills or talents or work in expanding industries. Wage determination in imperfect markets In the real world, firms or workers, or both, usually have the power to influence wage rates. This is the case with monopsony – this is a market with a single buyer or employer. Another option to determine prices is when the workers are part of a labor union, which can be a monopolist or part of an oligopoly. Monopsonist are wage setters or wage makers as they are represent all the workplaces. What is interesting about monopsonist is that if a firm wants to hire more workers, it has to pay a higher wage rate to attract workers away from other industries. The wage it pays is the average cost to the firm of employing labor and the marginal cost of hiring one more worker will be above the wage rate. To maximize profit, a monopson equalizes marginal cost of employing labor with marginal revenue product. Union monopoly or oligopoly has market power and can influence wages. The scope of this power depends on the market concerned. However, the higher the wages, the less the workplaces. Moreover, unemployed might undercut the union wage by forcing the firm to employ non-unionised labor. The only way to increase wages and not reduce the level of employment is by increasing the productivity of labor. Another form of imperfect labor market Is bilateral monopoly. It means that a union monopoly faces a monopsony employer. In this case the wage rate and the level of employment depend on the relative bargaining strengths and skills of unions and managers. As a matter of fact, my facing a single powerful employer it might be easier for the union to increase wage rates. In bilateral monopoly the union can threaten the industry with strikes and consequently economic losses which gives unions more power. It often happens both sides – union and management, to gain from the carried negotiations. This is called collective bargaining. In this form of agreement there are various threats or promises made by both sides. Examples of union threats are – picketing, working to rule and such of employers can be lock-outs, plant closures etc. The government can also influence the collective bargaining. It can try to set an example, or set up arbitration or conciliation machinery. Another possibility is to use leglislation, e. g. set a minimum wage rate or prevent discrimination. To change the perspective, a higher wage might also be profitable for the firms. The reason behind this lies in the fact that productivity rises with wage rates. Moreover, by investing in training of the personnel, a firm will meet significant loss in the absence of the better-trained workers. High wage rates motivate workers as well. Other imperfections of labor markets can be the inadequate information workers or employers receive. In addition, wages may respond very slowly to change in demand and supply, causing disequilibrium in labor markets. The last factor in determining wages we are going to examine is discrimination. It might take many forms – race, sex, age, class etc. In economics, discrimination means that workers of identical ability are paid different because of the aforementioned characteristics.

Ãtzi, the Oldest Ice Body Ever Found Essay

â€Å"Recent Finding Sheds New Light on the Stone Age† In recent years, the name â€Å"Ãâ€"tzi† has been on the edge of every archaeologist’s tongue. In fact, experts estimate that the remains of the Iceman date back to 3,255 BC. The discovery of the Iceman came about when two German mountain climbers, Erika and Helmut Simon spotted the skeletal remains of Ãâ€"tzi, the name that was given to the unidentified prehistoric man, while hiking in the Ãâ€"tztal Alps in 1991. On September 23rd 1991, when the Iceman’s corpse was extracted from beneath the ice, archaeologists discovered that they weren’t dealing with just an ordinary cadaver. In fact, various objects that were also uncovered within great proximity of Ãâ€"tzi’s body, such as leather hide remnants a bearskin cap, made it relatively easy to date him. Upon forensic examination, scientists discovered that the Stone Aged man had many anatomical abnormalities. As a matter of fact, he lacked both wisdom teeth and a 12th pair ribs. The analysis also shows worn joints, hardened arteries, multiples bruises, over filthy tattoos, and a small gash in his skull which proved to be fatal. Further laboratory scrutiny portrays the Iceman as being brown eyed, bearded, furrow faced man, little over 5 feet tall and weighing approximately a hundred pounds. Even though the cause of death is still being debated, most experts believe that Ãâ€"tzi died by the burst of a blood vessel and cardiovascular vesicle caused by an arrow head to his left shoulder.

Macroeconomics annotation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Macroeconomics annotation - Essay Example he lost in the China’s stock market by about three-fifths of its value, the decision-making body believes that the loosening monetary policy is appropriate. The China’s central bank, People’s Bank of China reflects the decision-making body’s concern and aim for the change in policy. The article’s primary economic element is the lowering of the interest rate in the economy. This lowering of the benchmark interest rate has an effect on the country’s monetary policy and money supply. According to Bradsher in the article, â€Å"effective Tuesday, the People’s Bank of China lowered by 0.27 percent, to 7.2 percent, the regulated benchmark rate that commercial banks may charge for one-year loans to business borrowers with strong credit histories. Rates for shorter-term loans will be generally cut even more while rates for longer-term loans will be subject to smaller adjustments, the central bank said, without providing details (September 2008).† By lowering the interest rate, the central bank aims to signal to commercial banks to lower the lending rate. By lowering the lending rate, the country aims to make funds more accessible to business borrowers. In figure 1.1, China’s benchmark rate is lowered. The interest rate aims to lower the money supply in the country. By lowering the money supply coupled with less stringent limits on lending, China’s Politburo aims to â€Å"protect the country from the global economic downturn.† By lowering the interest rate, China aims to signal commercial banks to lower down their lending rate which makes the cost of accessing financing lower. As is shown in figure 1.2 and 1.3, lowering the interest rates lower the costs to financing, which increases the investments in an economy. This increase in investments due to lower costs of financing that is brought by this change in monetary policy does not increase proportionately in the economy. Figure 1.4 shows the effect of the increase in investment in the economy. Because

Yuan an international medium of exchange Research Paper

Yuan an international medium of exchange - Research Paper Example Presently, the United States Dollar is the global medium of exchange. Since the beginning of this trend, the United States has benefited greatly in terms of the economic stability that the country has experienced. Clearly, if traders all across the world are seeking to have access to the United States Dollar, the only implication is that the value of the Dollar would continue to be strengthened naturally. However, various national and international factors have given rise to a situation whereby the strength of the United States Dollar continues to decline as against other global currencies. Today, the United States Dollar has been tagged as a weaker currency and thus its preference for international trading seem to be dwindling sharply. Without any doubt, the impact of this current trend is a positive one for the ambition of the Chinese government to have the Yuan become a global currency. From an international realism theory perspective, the initiative taken by China would have to m eet a number of conditions, among which includes the fact that â€Å"there must be strong demand by world traders, investors, and central bankers for the currency as a medium of exchange for foreign trade settlement†. But once the Yuan becomes accepted as an international medium of exchange and thus becomes a global currency, it would become â€Å"a unit of account for denominating international financial transactions, and a store of value for central banks' foreign exchange reserves†.And this is by no means an enviable position wanting.

MOD 2 ETH501 - Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MOD 2 ETH501 - Business Ethics - Essay Example The heart pacemakers were made because several people were in need of the equipment. The pacemakers helped people in maintaining proper heart beat rate to avoid deaths (Shanks, 1996). Although some people died out of incompetency of certain doctors while installing the gadgets, the risks and negative consequences were minimized. The pacemaker company maximized on the good it offered to its client, helping avoid deaths because of inability of the heart to beat. The deaths that occurred because of the lack of pacemakers were more than deaths due to the challenges of installing the pacemakers. This exemplified the need to maximize the greater good of pacemaker business while minimizing on the dangers faced. Saving human life is better than the financial gains that the transistor manufacturing company is against (Shanks, 1996). Utilitarian ethics is demonstrated by the transistor manufacturing board when they accepted to supply the heart pacemakers with the transistors they needed becaus e of a responsibility and duty to protect the rights of individuals in need of the pacemakers. Further, the board ensured that they minimized the negative implications of the business so that they balanced their trust responsibility to the company (Melvin, 2005). They did the right thing with maximum good in supplying the transistors to save lives and developed appropriate technical as well as testing standards to hold the pacemaker company against in an effort to minimize the harm. They reduced harm in the business and maximized on the utility while accomplishing the common good and protecting rights of people (Shanks, n.d.). What Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism, would have said about the Case Bentham would have argued that the board agreeing to supply the company making pacemakers was based on utilitarian business ethics because it satisfied human nature by avoiding pain that patients would undergo without pacemakers (Jones, 2005). In addition, he would have asserted that the appropriate action on the case would be for the transistor company to supply the other company as it was the right action based on the principle of utility. The good effects in the case involved supplying the transistors with a commitment to improving the testing and technical standards to balance the good and bad effects. This was a much better alternative than declining to supply the transistors to the pacemakers (Driver, 2009). Letting the pacemaker company not to run out of business by supplying the transistors was an instance of utilitarianism because it was a consideration of the good of all the involved parties without any partiality. How Bentham's suggestion that "We seek pleasure and the avoidance of pain..." might apply The board of the transistor making company demonstrated ‘seeking pleasure and avoiding pain’ when it initially declined that it would not supply transistors to pacemakers because it would face legal suits and challenges. The absence of appropriate standards by the pacemakers to measure their electronics would cause pain to the transistor company. The business deal would cause pain to the transistor company, and the board initially opts out of the deal. This would have not been proper for the welfare of the involved stakeholders (Shaw, 2011). In addition, all the other transistor making companies that pulled out of business with the pacemakers were avoiding pain in their business pursuit by trying to