The Study Of Consumption Alienation Theory Of Western Marxism

Consumption alienation emerges as a new perspective of alienation in moderncapitalist countries. Western Marxists observe the graveness of consumption alienationwhich has taken place of the traditional and compulsory alienation to be a main meansfor social control. Basing on, inheriting and developing labor alienation theory of Marx,Western Marxists construct systematic labor alienation theory of Marx in order todeepen the understanding of alienation in western capitalist society. Consumptionalienation theory is a major aspect for Western Marxists to criticize capitalism.This thesis analyzes consumption alienation theory in a scientific andcomprehensive way with the application of Marxist viewpoints. On one hand, it hasimportant thematic significance to expand the field of capitalism criticism and have aproper knowledge of consumption alienation. This study makes people realize thatconsumption alienation aggravates ecological crisis and impedes human’s developmentin an all-around way. On the other hand, this paper plays a role in raisingenvironmental consciousness and forming realistic, rational and civilized consumptionattitudes for the entire people and it has a more practical significance formodernization drive of China.This thesis consists of five chapters. The introduction is about the origin anddevelopment of consumption alienation theory. In chapter two it elaborates thecontents and specific manifestation of consumption alienation, such as consumptionmethod, consuming subject and consumption purpose. Chapter three illustrates themultiple causes of consumption alienation in the views of Western Marxists and provesthat capitalism is the hidden reason of consumption alienation. Chapter four discussesthe harms that consumption alienation brings about to society, nature and humanbeings. The conclusion emphasizes that consumption alienation inspires themodernization drive of China.We should draw on the experience of the achievement of western consumptionalienation theory so as to advocate and construct civilized consumption attitudes by themeasure of value in use, by the principle of moderate consumption, by the fundamental ideas of ecological thinking and by the aim of all-around development of humanbeings. The civilized consumption attitudes are not only beneficial to modernizationdrive of China, but also conductive to set up consumption system appropriate toChina’s national conditions. Therefore, healthy and rational consumption activities willharmonize with social progress, ecological environment and human development.