According to Marx, it all boils down to moolah. Even traditions and customs that seem to arise from something else entirely—they too are all about the bucks. That's part of the depressing message of Das Kapital. Maybe a workplace office has a tradition of goofing off at the water cooler after lunch. Chances are, Marx would say, your boss only tolerates it because he or she knows that it rejuvenates you enough to crank out more productivity in the long run. Then there are the traditions handed down by the division of labour, where specialized workers pass on their knowledge to the newcomers at the expense of a well-rounded life.
All this might make you dislike capitalism. Well, that's just great. Now get back to work.
Questions About Tradition and Customs
- Is Marx right that traditions and customs boil down to economics? List three traditions you observe and try to determine where they come from.
- Look at the list of federal holidays. Do you get these traditional days off from work or school? What about your friends and family? Research the origins of the federal government declaring these days holidays. Is Marx right that the reasons boil down to business interests?
- Do any traditions and customs run counter to capitalism? Where might they have come from, if not the economic system? Consider sharing versus private property. What would Marx say?
Chew on This
Traditions and customs boil down to economics. In the end, money determines everything.
Traditions and customs don't just boil down to economics. They also originate from other sources.