Sweezy Alleges Marxism Solves Modern Dilemma

The theory of Marx, despite "mistakes," is the one solution to modern needs for a "true brotherhood of man," Paul M. Sweezy '31, a former assistant professor of Economics, said in a speech last night before the Harvard Socialist Club.

According to Sweezy, one of Marx's errors was his theory of the social revolution. Marx predicted that capitalism would fall first in industrialized countries, due to oppression of the working classes. History reveals, however, that "in the most advanced capitalist countries the standard of living has clearly risen and not fallen," Sweezy noted.

He maintained, however, that no argument on the break-down of industry has any relation to the "fundamental critique" of Marx, which involves the "deepest levels of individual psychology and consciousness."

Personal Alienation

Due to their economic philosophy which emphasizes "gratification of private desires," capitalist countries have caused an "alienation of the individual from his own humanity" and an internal "emptiness." Sweezy continued, "The better capitalism works, the worse this psychological problem seems to become."

The only answers with any intellectual content or satisfaction to this problem were given by Marx 100 years ago, Sweezy alleged.

"Marxism allows us to hope for something much better than mankind has yet evidenced. That is the deepest meaning of Marxism today," Sweezy concluded.