Marx: alienation, commodity fetishism and the world of contemporary social work

Lavalette, Michael and Ferguson, Iain (2018) Marx: alienation, commodity fetishism and the world of contemporary social work. Critical and Radical Social Work, 6 (2). ISSN 2049-8608 (Accepted for Publication)

Text Lavalette and Ferguson Alienation.docx - Accepted Version Download (58kB)

Abstract

This paper offers an outline of Marx’s concept of alienation and his later related concept of commodity fetishism. Building on previously published work on this topic, we argue that the lack of control over our lives and creative activity which for Marx defined alienation and which he saw as being more extreme under capitalism than under any previous mode of production has actually intensified during the era of neoliberalism. Through an examination of the areas of work, sexuality and health we examine the terrible toll that that lack of control and greatly increased commodification is having on our health and relationships. Finally we point to some ways in which an understanding of alienation can contribute to a radical social work theory and practice.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	This is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of an article published in Critical and Radical Social Work. The definitive publisher-authenticated version, Lavalette, Michael and Ferguson, Iain (2018) Marx: alienation, commodity fetishism and the world of contemporary social work. Critical and Radical Social Work, 6 (2), is available online at: http://policypress.co.uk/journals/critical-and-radical-social-work
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Education and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Michael Lavalette
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2018 09:01
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2018 12:07
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/2432

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