Marxist CT

the economic conditions

social, political, ideological atmosphere generated by material conditions

methodology

financial success is simply the product of initiative and hard work

when an ideal functions to mask its own failure

An ideology that equates one’s value as a human being with the social class to which one belongs

an ideology that keeps poor people fighting wars against poor people from other countries

“the opiate of the masses” an ideology that helps to keep the faithful poor satisfied with their lot in life or at least tolerant of it

a cornerstone of the American Dream, is an ideology that romanticizes the individual who strikes out alone in pursuit of a goal not easily achieved, a goal that often involves risk and one that most people would not readily undertake.

“shop till you drop-ism” another cornerstone of the American dream, an ideology that says “I’m only as good as what I buy.”

what a commodity can do

the money or other commodities a commodity can be traded for

the social status a commodity confers on its owner

the act of relating to objects or persons in terms of their exchange values or sign-exchange value

when someone purchases and displays costly goods or services excessively in order to impress people with their wealth

the military, economic, and /or cultural domination of one nation by another for financial benefit of the dominating nation with little or no concern for the welfare of the dominated