Karl Marx's Theory on How Industrialization Changed Work Life and Tasks
Before You Begin
1. Be sure to review the information in your text for background on Agricultural (Pre-Industrial) societies and Industrial societies and the work tasks associated with these societies.
2. Be sure to thoroughly review the information in your text on the specifics of the theories of Marx and Durkheim.
3. Do an internet search for additional data on work life in the early days of industrialization, a period from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. You will incorporate this data into your discussion post, citing your sources as appropriate. You are responsible for assessing their credibility, but you have tools to help. The information from Evaluating Internet Information should be helpful.
Initial Post
1. Select either Marx’ or Durkheim’s theory on how industrialization changed work life and work tasks. Provide a thorough description of the theoretical perspective on work life changes posited by your selected theorist. Several new market sectors developed as industrialization took hold in the U.S.
2. Select one market sector from the following:
textile industries
transportation auto
manufacturing farming and food production
lighting technologies
early communications technology
production of home goods
housing
3. Conduct internet research on your selected market sector that illustrates the work life changes consistent with the views of your selected theorist. Be sure to include the research you conducted as instructed above in the Before You Begin instructions. You must include a total of four (4) outside sources of information your selected market sector.
4. Apply the theory you selected in question #1 by providing a detailed rationale as to how Marx or Durkheim explain the workplace changes you have researched.
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1. Marx’s theoretical perspective regarding industrialization and its consequences for work life can be succinctly encapsulated in the following manner: 1) In the concept of Alienation of Labor, Marx posited that industrialization ushered in a phenomenon characterized by the alienation of labor. He contended that as laborers became increasingly ensconced within vast industrial facilities engaged in repetitive and tedious undertakings, they gradually lost their connection to the fruits of their labor. Consequently, workers relinquished their sense of proprietorship and authority over the products they fashioned, resulting in a pervasive sentiment of estrangement from their labor; 2) Marx perceived industrialization as the zenith of the capitalist mode of production, characterized by the private ownership of the means of production, including factories and machinery, with the primary aim of profit generation. He argued that this system favored the interests of the bourgeoisie, the capitalist class while marginalizing the proletariat, the working class, ultimately resulting in class struggle and the exacerbation of social inequality (Øversveen & Kelly, 2023).; and 3) Marx's theory of historical materialism argued that changes in the way goods are produced, including industrialization, were central to shaping society and its class hierarchy. He believed industrialization would ultimately lead to a proletarian revolution, with the working class overthrowing capitalism and creating a classless society (Lindner & Linder, 2021, pp. 57-59).
2. Manufacturing, Farming, and Food Production
3. Karl Marx's