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One-Dimensional Society The theory of One-Dimensional Society is a sociological theory on the repression of freedom and overwhelming irrationality in an ever increasing technological and mechanized society. The theory relates to the lack of pluralism in politics and culture in modern Capitalistic societies. The term “One-Dimensional”, can be interpreted as taking existing ideas and culture as right and being unable to distinguish possible alternatives to the prevailing society. (Kellner, pp. xxvii)

Origin of Theory This theory was proposed by Herbert Marcuse, in the 1964 book “One-Dimensional Man”. Marcuse was associated with the Frankfurt school which was based upon the critical theory. (Kellner, 1990) The theory of one-dimensional society was central in Marcuse’s attempt to create a unified direction for conflict theory and show a clear alternative to the problems associated with capitalism. (Bernstein, 1971) The concept of One-Dimensional Society is based on and expands on Marx’s theories of alienation and reification. (Bernstein, 1971) The theory of One-Dimensional Society can be applied to three distinct aspects of society; politics, culture, and the individual.

One-Dimensional Politics Capitalistic societies rely on technology to produce a high standard of living. This high standard of living makes a one-dimensional society not only possible but nearly impossible to change. Automation and mechanization enable capitalistic societies to create abundance of goods and therefore enable a high standard of life which is so essential to the containment of subversive ideas. (Marcuse, 1991) Marcuse states that “mechanization of labor in advance capitalism, while sustaining exploitation, modifies the attitude and status of the exploited.” (Marcuse, pp.25) This modification of the exploited workers situation creates a happy and content exploited class who strives to work hard to keep the current system and has no interest in developing a new system where the standard of living and comfort is unknown. Marcuse believes that automation is a great catalyst of industrial societies. He states that “Automation, once it becomes the process of material production, would revolutionize the whole society.”. (Marcuse, pp. 36) This would create enough free time for all people that their private and social existence would be the same, enabling the end of one-dimensional society. (Marcuse, 1991) Marcuse also discuses the difference of welfare states verses warfare states and their relation to one-dimensional politics. Welfare states are capable of raising the standard of living through the increase in development and production. In this type of state a decline in freedom and rebellion is “an objective societal process insofar as the production and distribution of an increasing quantity of goods and services make compliance a rational technological attitude.”. (Marcuse, pp. 48) This enables people to be content in the established system even though loss of freedom to administrative control occurs. Warfare states rely on the use of fear to create a unified opinion on the necessity to industrialize to the utmost efficiency. (Marcuse, 1991)

One-Dimensional Culture One-Dimensional Culture is the idea that the high culture of pre-technological societies as become mainstream in post-technological or capitalistic society, therefore the separation between culture and industry has disappeared making culture a commodity. (Marcuse, 1991) Marcuse describes the development of a separate high society based upon the values of feudalism and a burgundies culture in a pre-technological society and the transition of these values into a capitalism society. He states that this high society enabled art and literature to be alienated from labor, because of this a pluralism within culture developed. This pluralism enabled art and literature to subvert from accepted principles. (Marcuse 1991) In a capitalistic society art and literature become mainstream and a commodity that makes pluralism impossible. Therefore art and literature become confined to already accepted principles and the most important function of art is eliminated. “This is the ultimate horror and degradation of a one-dimensional society.” (Bernstein, pp.104) Marcuse also deals with the idea of desublimation in a one-dimensional society. Desublimation, according to Marcuse, relates to the lack of satisfaction in sexuality. Sexual freedom in industrialized societies seems to increase but

The One-Dimensional Individual In a post-technological, advanced capitalistic society and individual is ingrained with the notion that technology and capitalism create abundance of goods and fulfill all the needs one could want both materialistically and intellectually, because of this people experience more freedom. Marcuse argues that this does not equal freedom, this only fulfills the needs that public opinion has deemed appropriate to want. “Thus emerges a pattern of one-dimensional thought and behavior in which ideas, aspirations, and objectives that, by their content, transcend the established universe of discourse and action are either repelled or reduced to terms of this universe. They are redefined by the rationality of the given system and of its quantitative extension.” (Marcuse, pp. 12)

Relevancy of One-Dimensional Society in the Past and Present The book “One-Dimensional Man” theory of one-dimensional society gained immense popularity in the 1960’s due to the New Left Movements in Europe and the United States.(Herf, 1979) The theory of one-dimensional society was used by some as a basis for new way of looking at existing capitalism principles and judging whether they were the best way of doing things. This negative view of looking at established institutions was not new, but Marcuse was one of the last theorist of his time not to take the society as it was as the only right way of living. (Bernstein, 1971) The theory of one-dimensional society is still just as relevant today as it was at the height of its popularity in the 60’s. Technology has continued to advance and has become ever more influential in people’s every day lives. The internet, television, and DVDs have made people even more content with the way the capitalistic society and the high standard of life it creates. The idea of anything other than the accepted norm has become even more abstract and unattainable.

See Also Herbert Marcuse Karl Marx One-Dimensional Man New Left Movement Automation Alienation Reification

Resources 1)Bernstein, Richard, J. (1971). Social Theory and Practice; Herbert Marcuse: An Imminent Critique. Volume 1, pp. 97-111. Fall edition. 2)Herf, Jeffrey. (Autumn, 1979). The New German Critique; The Critical Spirit of Herbert Marcuse. Volume 18, pp. 24-27. 3)Kellner, Douglas. (1990). Sociologic Perspectives; Critical Theory and the Crisis of Social Theory. Volume 33, pp. 11-33. 4)Kellner, Douglas. (1991). One-Dimensional Man: An Introduction to the Second Edition. Beacon Press. 5)Marcuse, Herbert. (1991). One-Dimensional Man. Beacon Press

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