Sunday, November 23, 2008
Theory Barocks Assignment
In this short paper I will discuss Lenin's response to Barack Obama's presidential victory. It will discuss that although Barack's victory marks a new chapter in terms of his ethnicity, his policies will still gaurd the interests of the capitalist class since he is still a member of this class. I will also provide my own take on the situation.
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Barack Obama’s victory in the presidential race has been one that seems to most as proving that the people have control over government, and that because of this control that we have been able to put a Black democrat in office. Due to the large number of people that registered and went to the polls this year, an outsider to social theory would argue that this proves a success for our democratic society.
Yet, Lenin would argue that this success is just another way in which the ruling class fools the common people into believing that they have power over government through the vote. This sort of illusion provided to the proletariat is necessary in order to keep them from revolting against the state. It was a necessary measure to mediate the class struggle that was caused by the bailout of the capitalists. Through this illusion the capitalist class was therefore allowed to maintain its close ties to government in that they were able to get their bailout money, and put someone in office that is still part of the two party system, hence still interested is keeping capitalism in place. Although some accused Barrack Obama of being a Marxists for claiming to want to “spread the wealth around,” we know that he is still a member of the capitalist class and therefore will not lead the U.S. into a state of Socialism. Lenin would argue that in order for socialism to occur, we would need to change the state altogether by electing someone from the working class, giving them a working class wage and give the people, particularly the proletariat, the ability to recall him/her if need be. Since none of these measures are currently in place within the presidency, the ethnicity and political ideals of the president mean absolutely nothing because he will still be an adamant advocate for the capitalist class. The new president will calm the working class from revolution but the thousand threads are still very much in place.
I think that Lenin is correct to an extent. I agree that this election does not change the power that the capitalist class holds over government. I don’t agree with his theory on Socialism, because in switching the ruling class from capitalists to the proletariat, there will still be exploitation of a class. The only difference would be who rules but it would still seem a lot like capitalism as the proletariat cannot be trusted. What makes them so different from the capitalists if not power? Yes there needs to be a middle step between capitalism and communism but what this new system will look like still needs to be modified to be more functional.
I really like how you described everything in a very clear way, especially how you tie what Lenin agrees with and what you don't agree with.
I don't really get your point as to no matter who rules it, "it will still be like capitalism as the proletariat cannot be trusted." why can't they be? Either way.. it does seem like a whole cycle of neverending exploitation, no matter who is in power.
Overall, good job in comparing Lenin and Obama. I do agree with you on your viewpoint of Obama and his new presidency.
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