Q.Discuss critically the statement that capitalism constantly generated the seeds of its own destruction.
Ans. Karl Marx proclaimed himself to be a prophet of Scientific Socialism. However, his major concern was to show the inevitable fall of capitalism and not to explain the nature of Scientific Socialism and the destined socialist system. He was categorical in stating that capitalism was an inherently evil system and contains the seeds of its own destruction or that it was its own grave digger. It was primarily to prove it that he developed and advocated his theories of Historical Materialism, Economie Determinism, Class Struggle and Surplus Value. These constituted the canons that he Marxian guru fired at capitalism to demonstrate its weaknesses as well as its destined end, its replacement by socialism through a proletarian revolution.
ork No doubt Marx believes that revolution will have to be launched by the proletariat, but the way for it, as per dialectic necessity, will be prepared directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously by the capitalist class, because capitalism, itself sows the seeds of its own destruction, what is often called 'capitalism digs its own grave-yard.' In the words of C.L. Wayper, "Marx demonstrates that capitalism must destroy itself by its own internal contradictions. It is too wasteful of men. Under the pressure of competition, it becomes a squanderer not only of flesh and blood, but also of nerve and brain. This waste must eventually cause a breakdown of the mechanism of capitalism, which cannot work without men."
1. Operation of the Uw of Concentration or Capital and its impact: Marx believes that there are various tendencies in capitalism which will lead to the ruination of capitalism. The first among these is the tendency under capitalism towards targe scale production and monopoly. With a view to maximise profits, the capitalists start producing on a large scale. It results in the formation of partnership, joint stock companies and corporations. This, in turn, leads to concentration of wealth in fewer and fewer hands. The big capitalists try to throw the smaller capitalists out of the productive field. When this happens the smaller capitalists are crowded out and pushed down into the proletariat class.
2. Decreasing number of Capitalists and Increasing number of the Proletariate: Alongwith the increase in great capitalist fortunes, the number of the capitalists decreases, whereas the number of the working class increases. The increase in the number of the working class also takes place, due to the introduction of the large scale production.
3. Concentration or Workers and Rise of Class Consciousness: With the decrease in the number of the capitalists and subsequent large scale production, there is a tendency toward local concentration of workers. In other words on account of the large scale production, a large number of workers running into thousands work at the same place or under the same roof. They come in contact with each other. They discuss their common hardships, problems and needs. As a result of this, they develop fellow feelings and class consciousness. This moves them towards organisation.
4. Development of means of communication and increased contacts among workers of different places: Another vital tendency in capitalism is towards the attainment of wider markets. With a view to have wider field for markets, the capitalists try to develop the means of production, transport and communications. They do so with a view to further their own interests and gains. But this helps the workers both directly as well as indirectly, in a sense that the workers of one place come in contact with their counter parts at other places. In simple words, the workers of different industrial centres come in contact with each other. This further strengthens in them the bond of unity and class consciousness. They come to discuss their mutual sufferings and hardships. It, in turn, creates in them an urge to form a common organisation.
5. Development of Class Consciousness at the international level: Marx further believes that the class consciousnes is not only created among the workers in common national frontier but it also goes across the other national boundaries. In other words, there is a tendency on the part of the capitalists to extend their economic activities to the international fields of market. This leads to development of the means of communications a among the different parts of the industrial world. This brings about inter communication among the different workers throughoul the industrial world, which, in turn, leads to development of class consciousness at the international stage.
6. Recurring Economic Crises in a Capitalist Society: The capitalist system has another tendency in it, which is that it produces recurring economic crises. In the words of Coker, "The labourers, who constitute the great body of consumers, arc paid enough to purchase only a very limited portion of what they produce ; the products accumulate and the crises of extreme over-production take place. The recurring crises, becoming more acute as capitalism develops, make the domination of the capitalists more insecure; and the meaas which the latter adopt to avoid the crises-such as acquiring new markets-only pave the way for severer and more extensive crises and destroy the means thereby they may be prevented." Increasing misery of the workers is a Capitalist System:
7. Another tendency under capitalism, which leads lo its destruction, is the tendency towards a steady increas in the misery, ignorance and dependence of the workers. This also leads to what can be termed as Degradation of Workers. This increases their hostility and discontentment. Throughout the whole process, capitalism, while always increasing the number of the propertyless, is always, by its development of labour-intensive machinery reducing the number of workers, it requires. In simple words, the capitalists try to introduce labour-saving machinery which creates a situation what is commonly known as, when machine comes in, man goes out. It constantly reduces the number of the workers required for production by the capitalists. This adds to the poverty, destitution and misery of the working class. As a result of the above tendencies, the workers organise themselves to put an end to their exploitation and increasing misery. They eventually rise in revolt against the capitalist class and seize the instruments of production.
Thus the evolution of the capitalist system enlarges the number of workers, brings them together into compact groups, makes them class conscious, supplies them with means of intercommunication and co-operation on a world-wide scale, reduces their purchasing power, and by increasingly exploiting them arouses them to organized resistance, Capitalists, acting persistently in pursuit of their own natural needs and in vindication of a system dependent upon the maintenance of profits, are all the time creating conditions which stimulate and strengthen the natural efforts of workers in preparing for a system that will fit the needs of a working-man's society.
