Rebel Resource
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- Dec 16, 2007
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- 666
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/neil_clark/2007/02/wanted_an_erich_fromm_party.html
"A healthy economy is only possible at the expense of unhealthy human beings".
In The Sane Society (1955), Fromm argued that a society, in which "consumption
has become the de facto goal", was itself sick. He advanced his theory of social
character: that "every society produces the character it needs". Early Calvinistic
capitalism produced the "hoarding character", who hoards both possessions and
feelings: the classic Victorian man of property.
Post-war capitalism, Fromm argued, produced another, equally neurotic type: "the
marketing character", who "adapts to the market economy by becoming detached
from authentic emotions, truth and conviction". For the marketing character
"everything is transformed into a commodity, not only things, but the person
himself, his physical energy, his skills, his knowledge, his opinions, his feelings,
even his smiles". (For a perfect example of a "marketing character", just think of
the current inhabitant of No 10 Downing Street).
Modern global capitalism requires marketing characters in abundance and makes
sure it gets them. Meanwhile, Fromm's ideal character type, the mature
"productive character", the person without a mask, who loves and creates, and for
whom being is more important than having, is discouraged.
Fromm was also deeply concerned with the way that love, "the only sane and
satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence" was undermined by an
economic system which rewards greed and selfishness.
===== SOLUTION
The brainwashing methods used in modern advertising, described by Fromm as
the "poison of mass suggestion" must be prohibited. The gap between rich and
poor must be closed. A new, participatory form of democracy, "in which the
well-being of the community becomes each citizen's private concern", must be
introduced. There should be maximum decentralisation throughout industry and
politics. And most importantly of all, ''the right of stockholders and management of
big enterprises to determine their production solely on the basis of profit and
expansion" must be drastically curbed. Fromm was unequivocal: the needs of
people must come before the needs of capital.
"A healthy economy is only possible at the expense of unhealthy human beings".
In The Sane Society (1955), Fromm argued that a society, in which "consumption
has become the de facto goal", was itself sick. He advanced his theory of social
character: that "every society produces the character it needs". Early Calvinistic
capitalism produced the "hoarding character", who hoards both possessions and
feelings: the classic Victorian man of property.
Post-war capitalism, Fromm argued, produced another, equally neurotic type: "the
marketing character", who "adapts to the market economy by becoming detached
from authentic emotions, truth and conviction". For the marketing character
"everything is transformed into a commodity, not only things, but the person
himself, his physical energy, his skills, his knowledge, his opinions, his feelings,
even his smiles". (For a perfect example of a "marketing character", just think of
the current inhabitant of No 10 Downing Street).
Modern global capitalism requires marketing characters in abundance and makes
sure it gets them. Meanwhile, Fromm's ideal character type, the mature
"productive character", the person without a mask, who loves and creates, and for
whom being is more important than having, is discouraged.
Fromm was also deeply concerned with the way that love, "the only sane and
satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence" was undermined by an
economic system which rewards greed and selfishness.
===== SOLUTION
The brainwashing methods used in modern advertising, described by Fromm as
the "poison of mass suggestion" must be prohibited. The gap between rich and
poor must be closed. A new, participatory form of democracy, "in which the
well-being of the community becomes each citizen's private concern", must be
introduced. There should be maximum decentralisation throughout industry and
politics. And most importantly of all, ''the right of stockholders and management of
big enterprises to determine their production solely on the basis of profit and
expansion" must be drastically curbed. Fromm was unequivocal: the needs of
people must come before the needs of capital.
