With reference to the Ideas of Frankfurt school, critically discuss how the masses are suppressed in capitalists society to preserve the status quo?
I have interacted with many Marxists on twitter. I have had extended debates with them. They are often smart. I find them personable. However, the Marxists I chatted with simply do not care what others think. They have their own beliefs. And they are passionate about them. That’s why I argue that Marxists (and postmodernists—the Frankfort school) are irrational. They don’t care to understand (reason). They feel oppressed, and I believe they are. But, their oppression is self inflicted.
With the above as back-drop, consider what is required to sell a product to another person who does not understand your product/service. You will hit a wall. They won’t want it. As far as many customers are concerned, everything is fine. The potential customer fully intends to maintain the status quo.
In Capitalism, the status quo is everywhere. But this is not a problem with capitalism, it is instead a consequence of the human brain (yes, I know all about historical materialism). The capitalist’s job is to understand the needs of their customer. The capitalist must understand how their product improves the world or business of the customer. In addition, often the customer’s view isn’t rational. Here, the capitalist’s job is harder still. In this latter case, one can’t even make a rational argument to sell the product. Somehow, the product or service must be presented to the customer in emotional or irrational terms.
However, the status quo can be overcome. Successful capitalists/business owners do this every day.
Irrational people (Marxists, Critical Theorists, Postmodernists) just do not yet have the mental tools to see the world, authentically, from another’s point of view. Instead, they will jealously hold on to their own view. As a result, the status quo becomes an insurmountable barrier. If others do not see it their way, irrational people will feel oppressed. AND, honestly they are. But the irrational oppression of another is not the way. Only understanding (using reason) is.
