Product of our Capitalist Society

This week we have been discussing Marxism and basically how it is a critique of capitalism. According to Marx, capitalism is only possible because of the values on private property as well as the alienation of the workforce. I am going to focus more on the aspect of the private property just mentioned and how, after realizing it in class, just how influenced my own mindset is by capitalism.

The capitalist system supposedly favors those who work hard and strive for success, but we all know that this isn't always the case. However, in my own life I have always had the mentality that I need to bust my tail now in order to ensure a good future for myself. I have always envisioned living in a pretty big house, driving a pretty nice car, and ultimately not seeing prices as an issue. So here I see now that the goals I have mentioned are revolved around material goods or private property. Reaching this goal though is going to prove to be very difficult due to the income separation capitalism has caused. With less than 5% of the population holding close to 50% of the nation's wealth, the odds of me making it out of the "working" class aren't in my favor.

Our society has molded most of our minds to think in a way that only looks out for ourselves. We are all wrapped up in fixing our personal status that we are failing to see that it is all of us trying to reach the same goal. Maybe if we all noticed this then instead of seeing our peers as competition or the person trying to take our spot, then the option of working as a unified force trying to change the status of the whole would be recognized and supported. As mentioned in class, over the history of humanity it has proven to be quite effective when we all work together as one, rather than constantly competing over everything.