Effects of Capitalism and Lack of Individual Responsibility Seyhan Uludag

11-08-2024 WRITERS GENERAL GÖÇ.COM Türkçe English Deutsch Italiano Français Ελληνικά Kurdî Español

The Effects of Capitalism and the Lack of Individual Responsibility Seyhan Uludag While today's society struggles with economic crises, cultural transformations and political uncertainties, the lack of individuals' understanding of social responsibility and the passivity in the search for social change require an in-depth examination of the social structure. Karl Marx's theories provide a powerful framework for understanding the effects of capitalist economic structures, cultural hegemony and political uncertainties on individuals. In this context, the inaction of individuals in the face of economic, cultural and political difficulties and the effects of this inaction on social change should be comprehensively addressed in the light of Marx's concepts. In addition, the effects of divisions within socialist and communist movements on these dynamics should be examined in detail. The capitalist economic system deepens social inequality by prioritizing the economic interests of individuals. In Karl Marx's work "Capital", he emphasizes that capitalism encourages individuals to maximize their economic interests and how this transforms social relations (Marx, 1867). Capitalist relations of production view labor as a commodity, and this causes individuals to conduct their economic activities only by looking out for their own interests. This structure causes individuals who encounter problems such as economic crises and unemployment to perceive these problems as personal failures. This perception prevents individuals from developing a critical perspective on the roots of the problems. Individuals remaining passive in the face of economic difficulties ensures the reproduction of the capitalist system and ensures the continuation of the current economic order. Marx's analysis shows how capitalist relations of production direct individuals to maximize their own interests in economic terms and how this situation affects social relations. The commodification of labor and the economic system's pressure on individuals to look out for their own interests reduce the individual and collective mobility necessary for social change and cause individuals to be inactive in the face of economic crises. This situation clearly reveals how capitalism deepens its own crises and weakens individuals' ability to cope with these crises. The theory of cultural hegemony is also an important tool in Marx's explanation of how social norms and values ​​are shaped by the ruling class. The concept of cultural hegemony, developed by Antonio Gramsci in his work “Prison Notebooks”, examines how the dominant class determines social norms and values ​​using ideological tools and how these norms ensure social harmony (Gramsci, 1971). Cultural hegemony is used to reinforce the ideological dominance of the dominant class, and this causes cultural norms and values ​​to put pressure on individuals. The dominant class uses cultural norms and values ​​to maintain social harmony and order, forcing individuals to adapt to the existing social structure. Individuals may be reluctant to question or oppose these norms because these norms ensure the maintenance of social order. Cultural hegemony causes individuals to remain passive in actively contributing to social change processes and prevents them from playing an active role in cultural change processes. Gramsci’s concept of cultural hegemony examines in detail how the dominant class creates social norms using cultural tools and the impact of these norms on individuals. This is an important mechanism that restricts individuals’ participation in social change processes and the effectiveness of these processes. Political uncertainties and conflicts also affect individuals’ understanding of social responsibility. In Marx’s work “Impressions and Analyses”, he states that political systems are structured to protect the interests of the ruling classes (Marx, 1867). Political uncertainties and conflicts are generally tools used by the ruling class to maintain its power. These uncertainties undermine individuals’ trust in political processes, which leads to their inaction. Political systems direct individuals to adopt a reactive attitude rather than action. This reactive approach prevents individuals from taking action against social problems and weakens their understanding of social responsibility. Marx’s political economic analyses reveal how these uncertainties prevent individuals from contributing to social change processes and how they serve to maintain the current system. Political uncertainties generally cause individuals to accept the current situation and not to take an active stance on social problems. This situation is one of the biggest obstacles to social change processes. Divisions and different approaches within socialist and communist movements are important in the struggle for social change.presents a more complex picture. Although socialist and communist movements aimed for social change based on Marx’s theoretical framework, the divisions between these movements caused great difficulties in mobilizing the masses. The ideological and strategic differences between socialist and communist movements made it difficult for social movements to organize in a unified way. An analysis of how the divisions between various socialist movements affected social struggles can be found in Marx’s “Manifesto of the Communist Party” (Marx and Engels, 1848). The divisions within different socialist and communist groups led to ideological debates and strategic disagreements, which made it difficult to mobilize the masses and build an effective social change movement (Hobsbawm, 1994). This situation prevented the formation of a unified and powerful movement necessary for social change and constituted a significant obstacle in the process of social change. The divisions within the socialist and communist movements have made it difficult for these movements to effectively organize the masses and carry out the collective action necessary for social change. This has prevented unity and solidarity in the processes of social change and made it difficult to form an effective social movement. As a result, in light of Marx's theories, the lack of individual responsibility in today's society and the passivity in the search for social change reflect the effects of economic, cultural and political structures on individuals. The economic pressures created by the capitalist system, cultural hegemony and political uncertainties shape the social responsibilities and actions of individuals. The divisions and strategic differences within the socialist and communist movements have made this process even more complicated. These structural factors are the greatest obstacles to the processes of social change. In order for individuals to overcome the effects of these structures, an in-depth analysis of the system and conscious social mobilization are required. Increasing awareness of social responsibility and encouraging individual action play a critical role in building a more just and sustainable society. Part 1 to be continued