Forever Becoming
As an essential component of capitalist ideology, the idea of competition has been exaggerated and planted in the popular consciousness, its influence spreading beyond purely economic relations. To compete appears to be a natural thing to do.
In freeing man from the constraints of a rigid, stratified system, capitalism appeared to promote the idea of equality; man was free to define himself, and, importantly, to advance himself within society.
Yet, through pushing the idea of economic advancement the system also placed emphasis upon the notion of competition, setting one individual against another.
We’ve seen how the ideology of the marketplace can infiltrate numerous aspects of our life, making us conscious of what we are selling, and how well we are selling it.
This emphasis on selling inevitably promotes competitive relations, because in selling something - be it a skill, talent, idea or look - there will, more often than not, be others selling the same thing.
As an essential component of capitalist ideology, the notion of competition has suffused the popular consciousness, its influence spreading beyond purely economic relations.
To compete seems like a very natural thing to have to do, and we have Darwin’s Theory of Evolution to remind us that competition is in the natural way of things.
Yet, whilst it may be an inevitable aspect of human relations, it remains a singular aspect upon many. The emphasis that capitalism places upon this idea, and the way in which it is communicated to us can frequently be problematic.
In many instances a competitive mindset can invade relations beyond the economic, and can become a default mode of exchange where, often, it needn’t be.
When the objects of our desire are perceived as limited, it follows that to get what we want we will have to compete for it.
Whilst it may be the case that many things are by nature limited, it is often from the emphasis upon the necessity to compete that dysfunction can arise. Fromm describes the effects of a competitive mindset upon the individual.
“His relationship to his fellow men, with everyone a potential competitor, has become hostile and estranged; he is free – that is, he is alone, isolated, threatened from all sides.”
Advancement and Careerism
Whilst allowing the individual to flourish in formerly unthinkable ways, capitalism also unharnessed his urge for power and status.
Our gifts, the things that separate us - be it talent, beauty or intelligence – are instrumentalized, their function as occasions for celebration and communion seconded to their utility as tools of advancement.
State ideology urges its citizens to ‘be someone’, a fiction that is communicated and strengthened through stories of success.
This runs from from the everyday tale of achievement and victory featured in the pages of the local paper, through to the latest celebrity autobiography) and our worship of those who have ‘made it’ (celebrities; those who are top of their field; ‘geniuses’.
To progress economically and secure a favourable position within a free-for-all system, the individual is compelled to draw upon whatever resources allow him to achieve this.
In this sense, the gift – as long as it is valued by society – takes its place as an element of a wider tyranny; both reason, motivation, and justification for the attainment of power.
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