Alienation

The theory of Alienation was proposed by the German economist Karl Marx. Karl Marx was one of the greatest thinkers of all time. He is a famous advocate of communism. His main motto was to fight for the capitalists VS the working class. He founded the base of communism through his famous work “The Communist Manifesto” in 1848. The concept of Alienation spread through this man only.

To know more about Alienation, keep scrolling your screen and discovering new and astonishing facts regarding this topic. Sit with a pen and paper to note down all the essential details of this topic, and don’t miss out on anything.

What is Alienation?

This term is used to describe the separation of people from a particular community or people. The Alienation could be due to different norms, values, and social relations. The people who are alienated from society do not follow the mainstream. There are types of people who are isolated from society, known as Alienation. The name in itself is sufficient to define this term.

Karl Marx’s theory of Alienation

Karl Marx’s theory of Alienation stated that. 

1. The workers are socially isolated from the products which they manufacture. Only the capitalists receive the hard-earned money of the workers. The workers did not receive their money from hard work. All these agreements are made through the wage labour agreement. 
2. The workers don’t do the labour work by their wish. They are forced to do so because they are left with no other option. The wages are essential for the sake of the labourer’s lives. 
3. The labourers are alienated from their souls. They are not given the fundamental freedom of doing what they want to. Instead, they are forced to do the work directed by their masters. 
4. There is an environment of competition among other workers in which they are forced to sell their work at the lower costs available. 

Types of Alienation

Learn about all the four types of Alienation and expand your knowledge. 

1. Alienation of the worker from their product: According to this type of Alienation, the worker is not responsible for the product they create. The product entirely belongs to the capitalists and belongs to the workers in no way. The capitalists are the only authority over the products created by the workers. 
2. Alienation of workers from the act of production: Workers are forced to manufacture goods and services. The forceful production of these goods and services does not satisfy the workers. Labourers are forced to take this task as their means of survival because they have no other work to survive upon. 
3. Alienation of the worker from their species essence: According to the capitalist mode of production, a particular person always loses his right to self-development because they are forced to sell their labour-power in the market for the sake of living. 
4. Alienation of the worker from other workers: A market is created due to the competition among other workers for their labour-power. 

Theories of Alienation

A paper by the famous sociologist Melvin Seeman defined Alienation. The paper was published in 1959, with the title “On the Meaning of Alienation.” The features of Alienation are given below in detail. Have a look at the points given below.

1. Powerlessness: Whenever any people are isolated from their surroundings, they feel as if they are powerless and do not have any control over their life. 
2. Meaninglessness: This happens when any person is completely isolated from their surrounding, they feel as if their life is meaningless and does not hold any authority over their life. In a word, they feel miserable. 
3. Social Isolation: People are socially isolated from their surroundings due to caste, creed, colour, or social beliefs. This type of condition of isolation is termed social isolation.
4. Self Estrangement: Due to social Alienation, people feel like their likes and dislikes are being ignored. They force the likes and dislikes of some other people.

Conclusion

Once you complete this blog, you will understand the topic of Alienation in full detail. You will also know about Karl Marx, who was the actual founder of this term and supported the communist thoughts. This will also give you a glimpse of the four types of Alienation and their meanings. This term is used to define the people who are isolated from others and the mainstream of society. Get a glimpse of these topics and apply them well in your sociology subject. Get ready to be the best among the best.