Alienation/Class Theory

The permanent and revolutionary change of all social relations is an inherent condition of capitalism. Touraine (1971) has argued that it is in the capitalist mode of production that permanent change seems to be the only reliable consistency, damaging or destroying established social relationships based on mutuality, continuity, reciprocity and solidarity. Poverty and social exclusion of individuals, groups, and communities of peoples is rife across the globe and many migrate in search of a different and a better future (Cox, 2007; Nguyen, 2005). Alienation in classical Marxism (1961) entails the separation of the worker from the products of his/her labour, the separation of ownership from the means of production, the inability of the worker to influence managerial policies, lack of control over conditions of employment and lack of control over the immediate work process (Frankel, 1971; Marx, 1971). As a result the worker is disconnected to

what they produce and to humanity.The theoretical basis of alienation within the capitalist mode of production is that the worker invariably loses the ability to determine his or her life and destiny (Ollman, 1976). The worker is deprived of the right to think of himself as the director of his actions (Padgett, 2007)

Marxist (Frankel, 1971; Grusky, 1994 & Marx, 1961) argued that economic situation of an individual, which is created by the form of the productive system in a capitalist society, is the most important determinant of all other aspects of the society. The key to understand a society at any point in history is to focus first on the mode of production. In capitalist society, capital, machinery, mines, factories, labour are the key productive factors and are controlled by capitalist, as distinct from being owned by all members of society (Freire, 2000). The goods and services produced by the worker belong only to the capitalist owner in this way the more workers’ produce the more they are confronted by their products of labour as foreign powers (alienated). Eventually labour itself becomes commoditised and a relationship of commodity is created, eventually the worker becomes dehumanised. According to Marx (1961) labour produces in the worker a sense of frustration and powerlessness. In most cases, it results in a humble submission of the individual against which he/she can offer no resistance. Within this system, labour is graded according to the demand and level of expertise of the labourer/worker. This grading of post according to demand and levels of expertise creates divisions of labour. This is done through labels denoting workers as laymen, technician, professional etc. Marx (1961) indicates that the worker can no longer be free under capitalist conditions. He/she cannot do what he/she likes to do but can only do what the employer/bourgeois tells them to do. Hitherto levels of class in society are created. The basic determinant of one’s class is one’s relationship to the means of production (Liu, 2011). Marx (1961) argues that capitalism causes many workers to seek to attain a higher status in society by competing with other workers for higher positions and statuses .Ardently adopting the views and values of the capitalist who oppress them.

In the SANDF members can be graded in terms of their rank levels. Those at the lower rank being those less paid. It does not matter weather this member does the same work or not, their remuneration will still differ. Class can be demonstrated through the use of rank structures. Rank is an indication of an individual’s status, role as well as level of remuneration in the defence force. Members with higher rank are accorded authority, they have easy access to privileges that goes with those position and rank while those members at the lowest level are accorded the least privileges and at some point none and lower class. Inequality in wealth and power was of a

fundamental moral concern to Marx (1961). The most important question to ask in a society has to do with what groups in society dominate or gain most benefits from the status quo.

In any historic period, dominant and subservient classes can be identified (Liu, 2007).That means members in authority and those in subservient roles can easily be identified. Class on a material level for example one’s resources (level of rank and position) greatly impact life chances and opportunities. In the Defence Force for example, members can be assigned to the role of being a military diplomat only when they attain a certain rank level. Therefore it means that those members at the lowest rank level will never be assigned on foreign missions as military diplomats. It is that rank level which is equated to remuneration that provides access to wealth, privilege and status. The higher one is on the social hierarchy, the better one is able to withstand crises and life problems. Labour is supposed to be treated as part of man’s life activity more than the means for the fulfilment of physical needs. Marx’s (1961) arguments were that labour offers man the opportunity for self-realization. Marx (1961) was referring to the fact that man must decide what to do on any day. Man can decide to farm today while tomorrow man can decide be a presenter on a radio station. In this way, man is not restricted to any specific form of labour. Under capitalist conditions man will not be able to attain self-realisation (Sawchuk, 2003).

Alienation lately is described as form of dissatisfaction resulting from one's perceived association with a negatively valued activity, person, group, or culture. An individual's alienation develops within the context of an ongoing relationship between himself and some other entity, a person, group, society, or culture, for instance (Stokols, 1975). The experience of alienation is brought about through a decline in the quality of one's relationship with a particular context, and this perceived deterioration evokes dissatisfaction with the present situation and a yearning for something better which has been either lost or, as yet, unattained (Oldenquist, 1991). The former TBVC force members view their integration experiences as having been marginalised. They have perceptions that were absorbed in the SANDF. In this way they view integration as a negative activity. Their views are exacerbated by the perceptions that they are also side-lined when it comes to consideration on promotions whilst qualified to be promoted.

2.8. Conclusion

In this chapter a brief history of the former SADF, former TBVC forces and the current SANDF structure, roles and responsibility were described. In addition, the roles and the force composition of these former forces prior to integration were also discussed. The theoretical and conceptual

framework that forms the basis for this study was also discussed. This was achieved through describing the ecological perspective and concepts that form the fundamental core of the framework and how they are integrated to form a coherent whole. The idea of a system and the some of the basic tenets governing systems were described. In addition the concepts of self categorisation and alienation were also outlined. In the next chapter the researcher outlines the research methodology used.

CHAPTER 3