Explain Marx's 'general law of capitalist accumulation' and discuss Essay

Explain Marx's 'general law of capitalist accumulation' and discuss its contemporary relevance - Essay Example Marx’s earliest writing reflected a critique of the relationship between civil society and the state and progressively builds up to his dire prediction that capitalism would result in the rise of proletariat/working class and the ultimate reversal of fortunes as expressed in The General Law (Gurley, 1980). Ultimately, Marx’s The General Law predicts that capitalism would grow and expand to a point of self-destruction (Marx & Engels, 2007). The 2008 global financial crisis can therefore be seen as an example of the contemporary relevance of The General Law’s contention that capitalism would eventually dig its own grave by overproduction, greed, exploitation and alienation. This paper examines The General Law and its contemporary relevance. In order to put The General Law in its proper perspective, this paper will first identify and examine Marx’s political ideas culminating in The General Law and identify its contemporary relevance throughout. ... 187). For Marx, as reflected in The General Law and earlier writings, the forces of production, historical materialism and social relations would create conflicts which would lead to destruction rather than reconciliation (Elliot, 1978-78, p. 148). The 25 year old Karl Marx’s response to Hegel’s Der Philosphie des Rechts (Philosophy of Right) provides some insight into how Marx would eventually come to view the destructive forces of capitalism in The General Law. Marx honed in on Hegel’s â€Å"political science† (Jackson, 1990, p. 799). In this regard, Hegel defended the state and its constitutional structures claiming that this amalgamation of power was necessary for order in civil society (Depew, 1992, Chapter 2). Marx was quick to point out that the constitution should be nothing more than a reflection of man’s consciousness and this could only be accomplished if man was â€Å"the principle of the constitution† (Marx, 1977, p. 20). Marx (1 977) also sets the stage for the articulation of his critique of capitalism in The General Law and in general. Marx (1977) criticized Hegel’s reference to the state is far too abstract and that Hegel seems to forget that the state’s activities are carried out by man and reflects man’s own social qualities. According to Easton (1981), Marx was setting up his later argument that the state was nothing more than an instrument of control by the ruling classes. This argument would balloon into the neo-Marxist contention that the state was commandeered by those with â€Å"economic leverage† (Nordinger, Lowi, & Fabbrini, 1988, p. 875). The significance of economic gain in the ordering of society is a major theme in The General Law and the idea of economic

The Development of the American Public School Essay

The Development of the American Public School - Essay Example During early colonial years several laws were passed in favor of making education more common in society. The Massachusetts Education Law of 1647 was amongst those laws passed, requiring towns of fifty families to hire a schoolmaster who would teach their children to read and write (History, 2004). Additionally, towns of a hundred families were required to have a grammar schoolmaster, which created consistency in quality of education (History, 2004). It was at this point in our nation's educational history that formal schooling as we know it became more valuable, as well as desirable. Author Robin Cook stated, "Education is more than a luxury; it is a responsibility that society owes to itself" (Inspirational, 2003). Education became more of a social responsibility and educators were formally hired for the sole purpose of teaching the youth of a budding nation. Perhaps even more surprising, considering previous practice, is that they were paid to do so, either by the government or in dividual families (History, 2004). Formal schooling was becoming more of a personal responsibility and a priority taken seriously (History, 2004). The years following the new legislative direction, some families sent their children to "Dame" Schools, which were set up in the homes of women in the community. Dame schools were widely popular for those who were unable to send their children to the one room schoolhouses. These women had both the time and inclination to teach students of all ages and levels and worked in exchange for a meager allowance, such as food, miniscule stipends, or practical supplies (History, 2004). Also, traveling Schoolmasters traversed across states to various towns to educate the children in an effort to contribute to the dream of social harmony via knowledge and literacy. Usually, families of the community would take turns housing and feeding their schoolmaster for the duration of his stay. During the late 1700s and early 1800s, Thomas Jefferson's influence on American public education was astronomical. Though Jefferson is well known for the Declaration of Independence and his presidency, he also played a very large role in laying the ground work for the Public Schools system that we are fortunate to have today (Conant, 1962). According to Jefferson, "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be" (Inspirational, 2003). In the late 1770s Jefferson served in the House of Delegates as part of the General Assembly of Virginia (History, 2004). While in the Assembly, he introduced a bill that would create a free system of tax-supported elementary education for all except slaves (History, 2004). He proposed the idea of free public education to take place over a period of at least 3 years for every white child. If parents wished to continue their child's education beyond 3 years time, they could then begin paying for it themselves (Conant, 1962). In September of 1817 Jefferson proposed the "Act for Establishing Elementary Schools". His plan was to have schools which were locally controlled and supported largely by local taxes. In a speech he gave Jefferson explained: At