Karl Marx’s notions of alienation and Martin Luther King Junior’s (MLKJR’s) perceptions of social injustice compare in terms of their arguments on the constructs of capitalism. Karl Marx’s concept of alienation is an intellectual construct that is built on his earlier theories of man. In view, Marx explains the overwhelming impacts of capitalism on the carnal state and mental faculties of humans. The philosopher claims that human beings are prone to domination by self-created forces that control them as strange powers. According to Marx, the focally recognized aspects of capitalism, such as the state, political economy, and religion, are inanimate in nature.
These lifeless aspects of nature are developments of human activities that have a profound influence on the general way of life. Consequently, the institutional spheres of capitalism hold certain unresponsive powers that control human values and their activities in society. This state of affairs culminates in social injustice because capitalism alienates humans from their totality of living beings. Indeed, estranging human beings from the entities of labor and systems of production leaves them with inadequate abilities to nurture their own personalities. This situation results in an impenetrable state of asceticism that manifests in behaviors such as self-confrontation. Therefore, one will be justified to say, according to Marx, that alienation denies human beings their right to conceptualize their own ideologies and social environments in which they live.
MLKJR’s notion of social injustice resonates with Marx’s concept of alienation from various points of view. Just like Marx, MLKJR’s idea of social injustice is founded on the devastating nature of capitalism that has caused a deprivation of thinking and self-denial. MLK JR never compromised capitalist practices that had led to immense suffering, methodical coercion, abuse, and promotion of social alienation (Nieto 3). Capitalism is built on egocentric, antagonistic, and materialistic aspects amongst other supremacy traits that dispense power over other peoples’ values and rights, thus handling them as possessions of their own. The prevalence of destructive political thoughts amongst capitalistic leaders in American society had denied the minority groups their right to democracy. MLKJR’s mission was to end social injustices in American society by diminishing the dreadful gap between dismal poverty and extreme affluence. Nieto reveals that MLKJR’s campaign to fight for the civil rights of the Americans was a mission to help individuals come into terms with their status quo and gain self-determination through the philosophy of nonviolence (5). Nonviolence was the only non-destructive means of regaining self-will and the right to democracy amongst the Americans.
Works Cited
Nieto, Sonia. “Social Justice in Hard Times: Celebrating the Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Multicultural Perspectives 7.1(2005): 3-7. Print.