Post Class- Marx

In last Thursday’s class, we discussed theorists Marx and Althesser and their opinions on ideology. When we look specifically at Marx, “The golden rule” is one term that describes our societies economic system and how it operates. The word “gold,” in this phrase, refers to power. In general, Marx believes that he who holds the gold, rules. This means that those in society who are wealthy are the ones who maintain power over everyone else. In another quote, Marx also states “the class which is ruling material force of society is at the same time is ruling intellectual force.” The term material presented in this quotation is directly referring to means of production. Therefore, those who are the ruling forces in our society are not just wealthy but intellectual forces as well. Those who fit these criteria are in charge of all means of production. Another topic that we discussed last class was the binary oppositions of the American ruling class. These oppositions are things such as fast-slow, new-old, upward-downward, active-passive, etc. When referring to binary oppositions of the American ruling class, a perfect example would be technology. In today’s society we constantly desire things that are bigger, better and faster. When using the example technology, ideology allows us to believe that one product is better than the other. We are constantly updating our cell phones, computers, etc., in search for the newest and greatest thing. Although we don’t necessarily need these items, it is the ruling class (those in charge of production) that forces us to believe we can’t live without them. Another example would be the idea of a “home.” Society has created this ideal of the perfect home in our minds or often referred to as the “American Dream.” We are always striving for this “perfect” home life (ideal family, white picket fence, quaint neighborhood, etc.). However, it seems that even when we conquer these goals, we are never satisfied and still searching for something more. Capitalism has a way of creating this sense of desire. We always want what we can’t have.