The Marx(ist) Glossary

perversion of human needs

Capitalism is dependent upon the perversion of human needs for its existence. With every new object of production there must be created within the hearts of people a desire for this object, when neither the object nor the desire for it previously existed. This new product creates a new "need" which calls for a new sacrifice and a new dependence, so that one can enjoy this new pleasure. Therefore, the capitalist tries to gain an alien power over others that will result in their spending their money to fulfill the capitalist's ego needs. This means that every new product carries within itself new potential for deceit and robbery. It also means that with the introduction of every new product, humans feel increasingly poor as a person and increasingly in need of more money so that they can acquire these new hostile beings.

G. Scott Harrison






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