Author: eugene

Explain why Marx calls the bourgeoisie “revolutionary,” and discuss some of the distinguishing features of modern capitalism.

Marx’s Theory of History In the “The Communist Manifesto” (1847) and in the short entry on “Marx on the History of his Own Opinions (a.k.a. “Preface to A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy (1859)”), Marx lays out his “grand” vision of history (i.e. the succession of the different modes of production and his account of the transition from feudalism to capitalism) as well as his theory of social change (the base/superstructure model). First, outline Marx’s more abstract “model” of social change as laid out in the “Preface.” Here I refer to the role of the “economic structure” (e.g. the productive forces and the relations of production) as the primary drivers of social change and their capacity to condition changes in the “superstructure” (e.g. law and politics and culture and ideas more generally). Provide a concrete example of how this model of social change works in history. Next, summarize Marx’s account of historical change as outlined in the Communist Manifesto. Outline the factors that Marx believes led to the demise of feudalism and the advent of capitalism. Next, explain why Marx calls the bourgeoisie “revolutionary,” and discuss some of the distinguishing features of modern capitalism. Finally, evaluate Marx’s materialist model. Marx makes some large generalizations about how history progresses and about society under capitalism? What do you think Marx got right? What do you think Marx got wrong?

Compare and contrast Marx’s ideas about human nature with those of the political economics.

Compare and contrast Marx’s ideas about human nature with those of the political economists. What makes Marx’s project different? Outline and describe the three main forms of “estrangement” or “alienation” under capitalism, as discussed by Marx and in class. Next, in light of these features, and using Marx’s brief descriptions of non-estranged labor, describe a few “ideal” conditions that would support non-estranged labor.

Describe the meaning of the legal doctrine, Respondeat Superior.

Discuss Respondeat Superior including the following components: Introduction that includes the thesis statement Describe the meaning of the legal doctrine, Respondeat Superior.

Provide at least two examples of cases where the doctrine was applied and analyze whether or not the doctrine was applied fairly to each of the examples.