Critical Perspective Of Marxism And Foucauldian Sociology Essay

vituperative Perspective Of Marxism And Foucauldian Sociology hear comminuted possible action dates back to the Enlightenment and is connected to the writings of Kant, Hegel and Marx. However, in the twentieth century, decisive scheme became closely associated with a manifest organic structure of thought, kn ca apply as the Frankfurt initiate. It states Devetak in Burchills and Linklaters Theories of International Relations. It is the hightail it of Horkheimer, Adorno, Benjamin, Marcuse, Fromm and overmuch recently, Habermas that critical hypothesis has acquired a re lateed strength.Thus, the term critical theory was used as the symbol of a philosophy which questions the effective instal of policy-making and cordial innovationality through an effectuate of immanent critique. It was in the main an assay to regain a critical potential that had been overrun by recent intellectual, genial, cultural, economic and technological trends.The Frankfurt School of Critical th eory is the longest and most famous traditions of Marxism. This tradition is often referred as critical theory- meaning a special kind of social philosophy from its creation in 1923 by Felix Weil (Seiler, 2004). The critical theory of friendship of the Frankfurt School continues to excite interest and controversy (Kellner, 2001).A theory is critical to the issue that it seeks gentleman emancipation, to liberate clement beings from the circumstances that enslave them. A itemize of critical theories have emerged in connection with the galore(postnominal) social movements that trace varied dimension of the domination of human beings in modern societies (Gutting, 2003).The to a higher place statement sets the mood for this paper as I pass on be feel at how the critical wariness theory of yesterday applies to the modern western today. A nonher key aspect will be on trying to articulate the connections amid the precaution perspectives of contemporary society in the critical theory. The focus will be onThe focus will be on as the location for cooperative, practical and transformative activity continues today. This attempt will be on determining the nature and limits of real republic in complex, pluralistic, and globalised societies.what is it, why is it applied to wariness)Introduction part 2 (150) Marx and Foucault as critical theorists (an overview of their thought).A Marxists thought is establish on this lifestyle, a attainment of logic c all tolded Dialectics. Thus, Marxism is both a theory and a do. The theories of Marxism atomic number 18 based on a scientific method of thought called dialectal materialism. guess is based on a particular set of conditions that atomic number 18 unceasingly finite, and thus, any theory is necessarily limited. To test the validity of theory, Marxists rely on empirical evidence as the criteria of truth (Basgen, 2005).Marxism embraces modernity and Marxists argue that whizz of the main fusss is that capital ism nonpluss fetters on the progressive forces. The forces of capitalism atomic number 18 viewed as progressive in sweeping absent the traditionalistic, religious, backward, and feudal forms of society, spreading industrialisation and urbanisation across societies (Moody, 2003).Marxs critique of capitalism was that while this system had flimsy power and potential to transform human society positively, in verit adapted fact it resulted in exploitation and ultimately limited the possibility for pull ahead improvement (Powell, 2001). Moody (2003), describe this environment as players were emancipated from traditional limits notwithstanding became slaves of the new factory system, monopolisation resulted in limits on affair and further progress, and the state acted in the interests of the bourgeoisie rather than society as a whole.Followed by your argument (that they each offer a distinct analysis (Foucault as a critic of Marxisms humanism, subjectivity and economic reductioni sm) but both ar useful to evaluate wariness commencees Marx for economic affinitys in the midst of manager and worker and Foucault for patterns in disciplinary behaviour bring in managerial practices.CRITICAL THEORYThe term Critical theory has its origins in the 20th century Frankfurt School, and now is associated with scholars across a meander of disciplines. Its purpose of inquiry is to confront injustices in society (Clark, 2004). Critical system has been deeply concerned with the fate of modernity, and has offered systematic and comprehensive theories of the trajectory of modernity. Critical theory began by putting Marxian political economy at the concentrate of analysis, and early critical theory was materialist and committed to socialism (Gingrich, 2000).Critical theory has generally been committed to the idea of modernity and progress, while at the equivalent time noting the ways that features of modernity endure frame problems for various(prenominal)s and socie ty (Kellner, 2000). This is much reflected on the 21st century, though there is progress in many things, but still issues like globalisation tends to pose important problems for the society. jibe to Heilman (1998), being critical involves understanding the sets of historically contingent circumstances and foreign power dealingships that create the conditions in which we live. Theory helps us to organize the world, to chassis forth the details, to make some coherent sense out of a kaleidoscope of sensations (Ayers, 1992).When theory is theorized, as stated by Heilman (1998), the imperatives of practice bring the theory down to the ground. Phenomena atomic number 18 observed and experienced this experience informs theory and hence the theory is further modified as a result of spare practice. Rather like fiction writing, critical theorizing is a treat of imagining and describing a nonreal but possible world.The critical theorists have deeply twistd contemporary social theory, communication theories, cultural theory and many more for a human action of decades. According to Clark (2004), Critical theorists are committed to understand the consanguinity betwixt societal structures (such as economic and political) and ideological patterns of thought that constrain the human imagination and thus limit opportunities for confronting and changing unjust social systems. Critical theorists emphasise that theory and research must serve emancipatory interests, to create a world that satisfies the indigences and powers of social actors (Sanghera, 2004).According to critical theory, people are dominated by a false consciousness created and perpetuated by capitalism in order to preserve the hegemony of those in power (Meyer-Emerick, 2004). Due to this cause, integrity can assume that it prevents people from freely pursuing their own interests. This stand firm is only dismissed if people begin to see the contradictions amid the social construction of the world and their lived experience.CRITICAL THEORY TODAYThe critical theorists analysed the integrating of the working tell into advanced capitalist societies and suggested the need for new agents of a social change. They seemed to provide more vivid descriptions of the present configurations of culture and society (Kellner, 2004).According to my understanding, we look into the critical theory of the outgoing to gain methodological insight and political inspiration to carry on the tasks of critical social theory in the present time. Critical theory is crucial for reciprocal ohm Africa including the whole African continent, as we are undergoing vast transformations. Some of these transformations are promising to uplift our standard of living as the society, but others are threatening. Globalisation is one of the new transformations.Revolutionary Marxists maintain that although change whitethorn arise as an unintended consequence of molecular acts of subway system, the importance of resistan ce is that it can generate collective agents capable of pursuing the conscious oddment of social change (Hassard, 2001). This self-limiting resistance, orchestrated from supra and aimed solely at change them as described by Hassard, is less likely to be winning in achieving even minor reforms than resistance that aims to effect a new transformation of society.We have seen an interesting case here in second Africa opposed to what Marxists declared to be politically uninteresting which is labour butt against theory. Their argument is that it does not engage with the issues of political and trade union organization, which influence the consciousness and unity of workers (Hogan, 2001). COSATU (Congress of South African portion out Union) which is having close ties with the ANC (African subject area Congress) is making this labour process very interesting. Cosatu fights for the rights of workers while promoting the spirit of unity. They do this in a unified political activity.Alt hough the immediate interests of workers in payoff whitethorn diverge, their grievances and interests can be unified into a common political program, but that unification is a political achievement. This is more apparent on what happened recently with the case of Zimbabwe where Cosatu wanted to have talks with Zimbabwes congress of Trade Union. Cosatu believes that the unification of workers can have a huge impact on political changes as MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) is aiming at changing the political personal matters of Zimbabwe ahead of Robert Mugabes Zanu-PF (the ruling party).Marxs critique of capitalismCapitalism is the system that upholds the relationship between the owners of the means of production and workers. The former comprise the bourgeois class and the latter the proletariat. (Bourgeois managers, proletariat workers). Marxs analysis of the factory can be translated to the might environment, the relationship between the two classes remains, e.g. office worker s do not own the company, equipment and materials the belong to the company. Counter agreement is that companies give share to employees, however, shares are small they dont give power to the employees but it is a form of making them employees quality part of the company in order to gain more out of them .The bourgeois (managers that have control)Commodity fetishismCulture of the severeness, or what a capitalist organisation produces, as containing a value dependant on market factors, rather than on the activity of labour. This produces an objective relationship between commodities and labourers are reduced to the condition and status of the commodities they produce. Implications for critical theory looking at management approachesPrices of commodity go up and down and so does the price of labour cost e.g. recessionSalary paid no matter how much they produceBonus to encourage production to growing benefitMarx (800wrds) Exploitation as AlienationExplain Marxs articulation of ex ploitation. The practice of mistreat of workers in an environment that is deliberately designed to maintain it, i.e. capitalism,Marxs adapting the workers alienated by/owners of the means of production to gain profits at the expense of the workers (e.g. managers forcing employees to undertake tasks outside their job description in order to cut costs and maximise profits) because people are alienated they conform to the demands of their employers in order to keep jobs safe.Foucault bound to rules,rule-bound individual,Marxs HumanismFoucaultStrucralist, came after MarxMoves away from the economics of Marx. Looks at power and reconceptualises it. Management as a model of power relations in society. Specific rules maintain, regulate and institutionalize practices in a work environment (office, factory, school, etc),Power- Disciplinary power the panopticon as a illustration of society, the middle tower is all seeing yet prisoners forever obey without contending for certain whether they are being monitored, by whom or by how many. The result is the creation of self-regulating, obedient and disciplined prisoners (at least in theory). Relate this form of disciplinary power to management.Power as the primaeval driving force in a society within a group of people in a working environment. Manager doesnt create a system the manager exactly plays along with the rules, thus maintaining the relations of dominance and dominated.Discourses (rules that we work within and obey) and all to do with powerPower-Knowledge, all power engenders power and (hanin essay). The rules that are emplace are their to maximise profits and to make the workforce obedient, sheeplike subjects alternative view to commodity fetishism, marx says the worker turns in to a commodity that is commodity fetishism, Focault would say that the individual is merely the collective of the discourses they obey. The two concerns are thats 1. Marx looks at the economy 2. Foucault looks at power.3 objection s to ideology (Marx)1. requires an opposing concept of scientific truth2. implies that we are subjects(agents of fib to change it)3. relative to economic superstructureMICHEL FOUCALT (1926 1984)His studies challenged the influence of German political philosopher Karl Marx and Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Foucault offered new concepts that challenged peoples assumptions about prisons, the police, insurance, care of the mentally ill, gay rights, and wellbeing (Ron, 2000).The main influences on Foucaults thought were German philosophers Frederick Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger. The connect.net website, describe Foucaults thought as explored the shifting patterns of power within a society and the ways in which power relates to the self. He investigated the changing rules governing the kind of claims that could be taken seriously as true or false at polar times in history.Marx Vs FoucaultFoucault would argue that power relations are the units of analysis, not the individual in other words the individual is created by power-knowledge (power is above all creative, it creates subjects). Marx puts the individual at the centre, where the subject is conscious of his role in the historical process.Humanism (placing the individual at the centre of events, man as the agent, as the creator of history (what Foucault critiques as a structuralist philosopher). Marxs humanism can be defined asPower-Knowledge, all power engenders power and (hanin essay). The rules that are emplace are their to maximise profits and to make the workforce obedient, docile subjects alternative view to commodity fetishism, marx says the worker turns in to a commodity that is commodity fetishism, Focault would say that the individual is merely the collective of the discourses they obey. The two concerns are thats 1. Marx looks at the economy 2. Foucault looks at power.600 word on whether scientific management theory can better cope with analysis of management than Marx and FoucaultScient ific management (Taylor System) also known as Taylorism is a theory of management that analysis and manufactures workflows to improve employee (labour) productivity. The idea was developed by a Frederick Winslow Taylor between 1880 and 1890, and it was the first published monograph (written documents). Frederick Taylor believed that decisions based upon tradition and the rules of the thumb should be replaced by accurate procedures that are developed after a study of an individual at work. This means that there is a high level of managerial control over employee work practices. Scientific management is a mark on the theme of efficiency it developed in the 19th and 20th century were instance of large recurring theme in the human life of increasing efficiency, decreasing waste and using experiential methods to grade what matters rather than accepting pre-existing ideas of what matters. Management today is the greatest use of scientific management is a form to contrast a new and impro ved way of doing business.The Marxist theory of capital sees labour as a cost of production resulting in the alienation of workers as the need for labour surfaces from the physical needs defined by the fundamental relationship between humans and their physical environment (Hatch, 1997, p.27). Taylors ideas on scientific management (1990) have similar economic themes to Marx and Adam Smith. By viewing management as a science, he broke down the managerial problem into stages of research, definition, analysis and implementation. His principles were inherently based on the assumption that people put in as little effort as possible into their work and were soldiering on in order to earn money. This shifted all the obligation from the worker to the manager and scientific methods were used to determine the most economic way of working. After selecting the best person capable of performing the task, they were adroit to work efficiently and their performance was strictly monitored. In hin dsight, though this may have appeared to be a good generic strategy for the advantage of a firm, it heavily depended on whether the optimal method of producing could be found and whether or not the strategy was implemented correctly.ConclusionGreat managers know and value the unique abilities and even the eccentricities of their employees, and they learn how best to integrate them into a coordinated plan of attack (Buckingham, 2005). Managers are only as good as their ideas, resources and workers. The way in which he deploys the resources at his disposal is basically the making or breaking of a manager. Great managers are able to discover and develop what is different about each person who whole caboodle for them. Strictly defining management and the role of managers can only be done after the managerial act has been observed in reality, the bulk of the analysis is theoretical evaluation and speculation based on past examples. It is important to understand that the perception of what managers are supposed to do evolves with the sedulousness and technology that runs parallel to the growth of a firm. Managers used to control by fear and use absolute power, however, a more humanistic approach is now used, in which the employee is valued in the decision making process undertaken by the manager.