Marxism Is a Political-Economic Theory - Essay Example

Health sociology Marxism is a philosophy derived from the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (2007). This political-economic theory presents a materialistic perspective on history and the functioning of the world today (Dahrendorf 1959). Closely related to the ideology of communism it is critical of capitalist structures and speak of a revolution to reduce the alienation between the working class bourgeoisie and the powerful upper class proletariat. Thus Marxism approaches history in a manner that explains the situation present in many countries today (Mclellan 2007). History is seen as a source of conflict between three different sources, each trying to survive. Amongst this are the different social classes which include the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the development in the factors of production such as labor force and technology and last institutions themselves that enforce this materialistic concept onto society. Also included is the criticism of capitalism which forces the lower working classes to be subject to the exploitation of the upper classes. This includes not only the working standards of the employees but a variety of other factors such as the standards of health which are determined by the bourgeoisie set to attain power. Through manipulating these means, they are able to produce surplus product which leads to profits and the upper classes accumulation of wealth and power for themselves. The last pattern set by Marxism is the need for the worker to revolt. It is only by standing up to the orders set for them by the upper classes that the proletariat can escape. This requires the workers to unite through unions and political parties to stand against the control of the rich ruling classes. Thus, the Marxist policy is very consistent with the idea of exploitation done by the ruling class to maintain their power over the poorer and less powerful working classes. While most Marxist opinions are based upon the concept of economic determinism and its effect on the resulting class conflict, Marx and Engels have been unable to come with a unified and direct theory on over-all purpose of civil society itself. However this purpose of society can be understood by examining the work done by both men. This includes the criticism of the 19th century social systems, the advantages of a communist system and its superiority to the exploitation committed by the capitalist systems and the Marxist need for a justified revolution that would allow the workers to gain their due rights (Peffer 1990).Thus, Marxists aim for a health system that will not deprive the poor of their rights to a justifiable and efficient system that will provide for their basic needs and wants. Marxists view the health care system as a method for capitalist societies to search for profits while maintaining their capitalist domination and capital accumulation (Waitzkin 1983). Marx saw the problems created by the inequality amongst the classes. The conditions borne by the lower working classes were dismal. The working classes were living in an abject state of poverty and were deprived of many material goods. Not only were they paid a minimum wage which prevented them from buying anything but the basic necessities of life but they also lived together which allowed the diseases amongst them to spread at a much higher speed. This unbridled capitalist system created a breeding ground for disease amongst the proletariat (Baggott 2004). There is no doubt that the upper classes are not immune to the disease and infections spread caused by the social and economic conditions, but the number of ill-health between the rich and poor are severely disproportionate. This was coupled with the health services provided to the two different classes. Both were phenomenally different. This proved the Marxist concept that while the rich prospered; the working class lived in poor conditions under them. The idea is that the health of managerial and professional classes tends to improve while those of the poorer classes are not given as much attention. The idea behind this is that the health of individuals involved in manual and service work tend to be much poorer than that of the other workers. This can be contributed to a number of factors: poverty, working conditions and the degradation present in the environment around the working classes themselves. Because there is little communication and interaction between the working and upper classes, the probability of these conditions being improved is minimal (Bunton, Nettleton & Burrows). Marxism preaches a need for subsistence which includes essentials like food and shelter along with the right to a health system. However, this need has to be guaranteed to every member of society. The need can be considered anything which allows an individual to remain as a normal functioning being within society. This concept also includes that the action be reciprocal. This ensures that not only does every individual benefit from the resources provided to them but they also have to work according to their obligations to fellow beings. This ensures that all resources are shared in an equitable form, with each individual getting the minimum vital to sustain a healthy and fulfilling life (Almgren 2006).Thus, each worker is allowed the right to healthcare just as much as any other individual. Not only must this healthcare be equal and effective, but it also must be shared by all the members of the community. This prevents the inequalities that might arise between the rich and poor. Under the Marxist system human beings are not only responsible for the well-being of others within the society but also have a moral obligation to promote the idea of egalitarianism amongst all spheres of life: public and personal. This allows a just system to exist where the idea of obligation allows the support and promotion of an equal society. Capitalist states today seem to have evolved into bodies that provide for the basic needs of every individual living in the country. This is evident in the intervention in many economies where private ownership has been replaced by public ownership. Also many countries have turned into welfare states to reduce the effects of capitalism on their citizens. However, this move too is criticized by most Marxists who feel it to be a short-term intervention that will not last long. Added to this is the idea that capitalism still exists as a functioning body in almost all regions of the world, proving that the exploitation and problems that come accompanying this system are far from over. Thus, the state used welfare systems to protect the advent of capitalism instead of providing equitable healthcare to the citizens of their country. Thus while many Marxists believe that material wealth is the main factor for inequalities in health care, this claim is also criticized by many. Bad housing and poor levels of unemployment are specific conditions which ally themselves to the reason behind health inequalities. However, the extent of these material conditions effecting health are unclear. This is mainly because many capitalist countries suffer from varying degrees of health inequalities (Fox 1989). Also, history and statistics show that these health inequalities existed under Communist rule during the post-war period in the former Soviet Union. However, Marxists continue to argue that health inequalities are much stronger in areas where private enterprise is still strongly prevalent. The inverse law comes into effect to explain this theory. According to the inverse model, the health needs are greatest in those areas where mostly the poorest individuals live, is generally the lowest in probability to meet the best quality of health care. Though this is not a particular feature of capitalist systems, it is enforced into such systems. Studies show that areas that have the poorest classes are those that have the poorest health services while the higher social classes are those that get health-care services that are according to the needs of the people (Le Grand 1978). Thus, the upper classes are seen as responsible for choosing the degree of care and resource allocation that will be determined in the health system. The health system is seen as a part of the capitalist exploitation of labor. Yet, the alternative set out by the Marxist perspective is far from perfect. The followers of this sociological idea agree that state health services are not seen as the best system to bring about equitable health care but it is seen as the better and less-exploited system. The state health care system can reduce the health problems cause by capitalism though it has been unable to eradicate them. The reason behind this is that the state capitalism system is unable to reduce the profit factor that is part of the motives followed by the ruling class. This motive of creating profits exists in almost all sectors of the health care system: supply of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, construction of hospital buildings and the medical-industrial complex. Capital accumulation is also a major component of state-health care systems. This is because by providing health care from the state, the individuals are better able to accept the problems that come with capitalist production. Thus problems like pollution, accidents, injuries, and stress-related problems are seen as the side effects that arise in the path to gain profits. Items like alcohol, tobacco and junk food which have great consistency with causing health problems are not only sold to these working classes but are a great favorite amongst them. Thus, smoking is seen as a persistent and addictive habit within the lower classes. This makes profits for industries that produce these products while at the same time reducing the health of the same classes. The state provides health care to the working classes for two reasons. One is that it allows the workers to stay in optimum condition to continue working and making profits for the upper classes. Along with this, the cure of the illnesses blinds the working classes to the true problems infecting the system. The roots of the problem are ignored while its symptoms are cured, preventing the Marxist theology of a revolution to free the working classes from occurring. The material aspect of healthy workers is the great accumulation of wealth from these classes. By providing social support systems, the capitalist countries are able to improve and use the best and most efficient quantity of labor. Also, it allows them to dump those individuals who they feel to be a burden on society at the cost of these state structures. Thus the elderly, physically and mentally disabled are put into these structures to prevent them from being a problem on society and its profit-making ability. This makes health systems to be a vital part of the state structure, not for the benefit of the individual but to allow the ruling class to continue with their profit making skills. Many criticize the Marxist approach claiming that individuals involved in the health care system are not part of the conspiracy to undermine the poor working classes. Doctors and other participants of the health care system are indeed critical of the profits and accumulation of wealth. Many support the idea of an equitable system of health for every citizen. Also along with this is the idea of the state working to improve the health of the individuals without any selfish gains. Marxism continues to feel that the rights of the working classes are undermined by the under handed techniques of the rich. Every move carried out by them is seen as having a motive to remove the exploit the poor. Not only are health care systems established to remove the ideas of revolution or change from the minds of the working classes but it also allows these individuals to be at their healthiest state to ensure they make the most profits for the ruling classes. Commercial activities such as smoking and alcohol are allowed by the government despite the harmful effects they can have on individuals. This is ample proof that the state has no true interest in the health of the people as they continue to allow harmful and ill health related activities to take place. Only an equitable system where property and resources are divided amongst the individuals in a justifiable and proper manner can prevent the on-set of health related problems to affect the lives of the poor, working classes. Bibliography Almgren R G (2006), Health care politics, policy, and services: A social justice analysis, Springer Publishing Company Baggott R (2004), Health and Care in Britain, Palgrave McMillian Bunton R, Nettleton S, Burrow R (1995), The sociology of health promotion, Routledge Dahrendorf, Ralf (1959). Class and Class Conflict in Industrial Society, Stanford: Stanford University Press Fox J (1989), Health Inequalities in European countries, Gower Publishing Company Ltd Le Grand, Julian (1987) The welfare state under Mrs Thatcher, The future of social welfare systems in Canada and the United Kingdom, Institute for Research on Public Policy, Halifax, Canada Marx K & Engels F (2007), Das Kapital, Synergy International of the Americas Ltd McLellan, David (2007). Marxism after Marx, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Peffer R (1990), Marxism, Morality, and Social Justice, Princeton University Press Waitzkin H (1983), The Second Sickness: Contradictions of Capitalist Health Care, Free Press Read More