Comte de Saint-Simon disparaged laissez-faire industry in “The Incoherence and Disorder of Industry”, saying that capitalists are not concerned with the well being of society and are solely individuals looking to profit. This leads to men emphasizing their cunning and shrewdness and leading them to be “lost to humanity”.1 Marx took an equally negative stance on capitalism in “Estranged Labor” although he chose to focus on the worker and not the capitalist. Marx argued that every step of the production process estranges the worker from the product they are creating, as the more the worker produces, the less he is able to possess.… Read the rest here
Tag Archives: Comte de St. Simon
A Manifesto So Compelling, Intriguing, Controversial, and Most Importantly, Still Relevant Today
The Communist Manifesto (1848)
Author: Karl Marx (1818-1883)
- One of the most important and influential intellectuals of the nineteenth century
- Economic situation was very volatile, but usually in poverty
- Banned from entering many locations due to his radical ideas
Context:
- Published in 1848
- Industrial Revolution is either in full swing or starting to take hold, depending on location
- The Communists has become feared by many in Western Europe, yet the group itself does not have a clear purpose, direction, or organization
- Many of its members are not that knowledgeable of the complexities and history that Marx was able to notice
- Western Europe is on the verge of revolution in many different locations – especially Germany
Language:
- The Manifesto seems to be split into two in this regard:
- Some sections are very dense with heavy academic wording and style → hard to read
- Some sections are very straightforward and easy for everyone to understand
- The list Marx made towards the end of the second section
- The last words of the Manifesto, which are in all caps and are in simple terms
- Marx, who ran his own newspaper, likely did this on purpose.
Karl Marx and Comte de Saint-Simon
Author: Comte de Saint-Simon
– Born October 17th, 1760 in France and died May 19th 1825 in Paris.
– Belonged to a poor aristocratic family, had a bumpy education, and joined the army at 17.
– Aided the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
– Gained wealth due to the Reign of Terror, but quickly became bankrupt and attempted to take his own life.
Context:
– Wrote during a very tumultuous time in France’s history, before industrialization.… Read the rest here
Comte De Saint-Simon, The Incoherence and Disorder of Industry
Author:(1760-1825), Also known as Claude Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon was a French economist who challenged his nation’s traditional economic composition. He believed that the economy should be strategically industrialized eather than run it a Laissez-faire manner. This was one of the earlier writings advocating socialism. His thinking that the common man was a hard worker demonstrates his positive reflxtion on human nature.
Context: France had always had a capitalist economic structure. Comte de Saint-Simon was a rising political figure in France. … Read the rest here
The Dangers of a Laissez Faire Economy
Owen, Comte de St. Simon, and Marx share similar disdain for laissez faire economies. All three vilify the effects of a free market, in stark contrast to the beliefs of Adam Smith. Owen and Comte de St. Simon are most explicit in their attacks on the free market, blaming its systems and its supporters for the overwhelming decadence of industrial Europe. They argue that laissez faire economies rewards those who exploit others while punishing those with any shred of decency or respect for their fellow man.… Read the rest here