Marxist Analysis of...

[Crabbensmasher]

Hey

I'm writing a paper on a Marxist analysis of some topical world issue.

I have some ideas, but I'm a bit lost. The paper itself isn't supposed to be that crazy. Only 3000 words, and all I'm expected to have read is the Communist Manifesto. So, with that being said, I'm already a bit 'ahead of the game'.

Anyway, some ideas I was throwing around

1. Crisis in Ukraine.

A) Russian Annexing of Crimea. This seems interesting, but a bit limited. I'd have to dig deep, be a bit more creative.

B) Removal of Viktor Yanukovich. This would be a bit easier. You can make comments on the class dynamics at play here. Just the fact that the ruling class (political caste) was so blatant in their ownership of capital. Maybe something on how the means of production shifted hands after he fled (obviously not to the proletariat, but to somebody).

2. Violence in Venezuela. Pretty self explanatory. Opens up a wealth of possibilities for my thesis.

3. Garment Factory worker conditions in Bangladesh (or Southeast Asia in general) following the crisis last(?) year. Also pretty self explanatory.

4. Some local workers action. Strikes, lockouts, etc. This has the benefit of being really specific. I wouldn't have to sift through dozens (possibly hundreds) of articles looking for secondary sources. It kind of forces me to work with what I'm given.


Thanks guys. Anything helps

[G4b3n]

How could an instructor possibly expect a student to produce a Marxist analysis of any kind with only having read the manifesto? That seems a bit odd if I am understanding it correctly.

I would suggest number 3. The IWW has assisted in organizing worker's in Bangladesh and they have a great deal written on the labor struggles in the garment industry. Of course it is not explicitly Marxist writing, but like most anarchist inspired work, some of the general tools and concepts of Marxism are present.

[Crabbensmasher]

Yeah, the Communist Manifesto is like the bear minimum, I guess you could say. It's only a Marxist analysis in the most rudimentary of terms, and it's by no means required that you do it. I chose it because I thought I had enough knowledge to do it.

But yeah, I think that's a good idea. Or perhaps something similar, but on the coffee industry? I think that topic was covered by Marx himself at one point

[The Jay]

I agree with G4b3n. You could find some good shit on the bangladesh factory collapse and bring up how 1) they are exploited in terms of both marxian and common uses of the words - explaining the difference while you're at it -and 2) the works of the IWW in the area.

[Sea]

If you're doing #3, read:

http://www.marxists.org/archive/bordiga/works/1951/murder.htm

If you want to make it even more contemporary you can tie in that Malaysian plane crash. In capitalism, when planes fall into the water, for any Marxist, the real cause should be..... plane to sea.

[Crabbensmasher]

If you're doing #3, read:

http://www.marxists.org/archive/bordiga/works/1951/murder.htm

If you want to make it even more contemporary you can tie in that Malaysian plane crash. In capitalism, when planes fall into the water, for any Marxist, the real cause should be..... plane to sea.

Ah thanks, this gives me a great new idea to work with. I was just looking at an article on planned obsolescence but didn't even make the connection