The Marxian Discourse on Capitalism: Bourgeoisie Versus Proletarian Narrative

Abstract

Karl Marx’s discourse on the bourgeoisie-controlling proletarian’s life is arguably a persuasive thought on capitalism since the time of industry-1.0. This Marxian doctrine had analyzed capitalism that is hugely influenced by Protestant Christian religiosity, especially the conception of the “providence of God”. Honesty and hard work of an individual worker should be rewarded, and the truthful would be paid well beyond everything else that the faithful only could do the God`s work. One should be praised for spreading the knowledge of the all protecting God, and one also be provided with equal opportunities, as for generating the community of a vibrant middle class (the burghers). Thereby the master–slave narrative of the pre-industrial world could be annulled. And everyone in the community should be given equal opportunities for getting good education and job. They followed the Biblical dictum: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.” [Mark 9.35] and such a person would be resolutely following the ideals of the “providence of God”, as the way of living life. Based on these ideals of the “providence of God” figured variously, in the interpretations of protestant Christianity by John Calvin, that made industrial capitalism to find its religious roots. That again made the method of capitalism to be followed with a kind of religiosity for the hardworking ordinary people. The ideals of capitalism with the deep trust in the “providence of God” changed the history of Europe in the modern period, but not in the postmodern period, where such lofty ideas are deemed as reactionary and bigoted.