The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is seen as the fourth time that a series of technological innovations will revolutionise the production and movement of goods. The prospect of a 4IR also...Show moreThe fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is seen as the fourth time that a series of technological innovations will revolutionise the production and movement of goods. The prospect of a 4IR also sprouted a debate surrounding the socioeconomic implications that may come with these technological innovations. The 4IR could have grave consequences for low-skilled labourers. For example, the automation of production may result in a predicament where human labour can no longer compete with machines, which may decrease demand for low-skilled labour or make it redundant. As a result, in highly developed countries growing job insecurities may accelerate the growth of a “new dangerous class” called the precariat. This class could put pressure the political foundations of capitalist democratic societies. Moreover, in developing countries, automation of production may result in companies deciding to relocate their production back to highly developed countries where most of their consumers are based. As a consequence, developing countries can no longer depend on their comparative advantage of having an abundance of cheap labour. Hence, one can argue that the development strategy of development by way of industrialisation may become unworkable. In short, the 4IR may increase the gap between rich and poor, decrease social mobility and increased labour insecurity; all of which resonate with some of the contradictions that Karl Marx thought were endemic to the capitalist economy. This thesis will investigate this predicament through an analysis of the socioeconomic effects emerging from the 4IR and relating this to Marx’s critique of capitalism. The thesis aims to add to existing literature on Marx by considering the relevance of Marx in the 21st century.Show less
Deze paper vergelijkt de sociale analyse, van de leefcondities tijdens industrialisatie in de 19e eeuw, van hedendaagse historici met de analyse die Marx en Mill in hun werken, 'Das Kapital' en ...Show moreDeze paper vergelijkt de sociale analyse, van de leefcondities tijdens industrialisatie in de 19e eeuw, van hedendaagse historici met de analyse die Marx en Mill in hun werken, 'Das Kapital' en 'The principles of political economy', maken.Show less
The Zainichi Koreans have been excluded Japanese society by a latent structure of discrimination that is encoded in the Japanese constitution and promoted by homogeneous society idealists such as...Show moreThe Zainichi Koreans have been excluded Japanese society by a latent structure of discrimination that is encoded in the Japanese constitution and promoted by homogeneous society idealists such as Nakasone. This latent structure becomes blatant when the notion of Japanese homogeneity and cultural superiority is challenged. This drive for exclusion exhibits itself through anti-foreigner rhetoric of politicians such as Ishihara who instrumentalise fear and nationalism for their own political ends, and manifests itself as negative portrayals of Koreans in media and through Zaitokukai protests. Understanding the Zainichi Koreans within the context of Japanese national identity shows that Koreans are denied an identity, a history, and legal and economic rights by the dominant narrative of a homogenous and culturally superior Japan. When this narrative is challenged, it is then reinforced by nationalistic politicians and the Zaitokukai who actively exclude the Zainichi. Japan’s national identity has been constructed in opposition to its heterogeneous past and contemporary heterogeneous countries. For its ethnic minorities that are associated with its multiethnic past, they face losing identity and blatant discrimination in modern Japan.Show less
