IS LATE STAGE CAPITALISM THE DEATH OF RELATIONSHIPS?
Late-Stage Capitalism: The Death of Relationships?
It is November 2024, the London streets are positively arctic, and rain is relentlessly battering down on us all. A wintry gloom hangs over the city, its chill seeping into our bones as we trudge home after another long day at the office. There's a sense of weariness in the air — a staleness that clings to our steps, echoing in the silence of our solitary journeys. We return to empty apartments, or homes that echo with quiet, a space where we cook, clean, work out, and engage in those small rituals that help us unwind and prepare for the unyielding grind ahead. The promise of the weekend’s eventual relief seems distant, a brief escape from the cycle.
But not for all of us. For some, the apartment isn’t empty at all. There’s that significant other, a partner waiting with open arms to share the news of the day, to listen and to be heard. A relationship that blossoms, nurtures, and deepens, evolving into something that promises not just companionship, but lasting, monogamous love. In a world where fleeting connections are often becoming the norm, this bond stands as a testament to the joy of true emotional intimacy. A connection offering solace and warmth amidst the cold and rain. It’s the kind of relationship that promises to weather the storms, not just the weather, but the emotional downpours of life itself.
Except in this modern world, that relationship is slowly dwindling away with that arctic wind and at its heart, capitalism is to blame. In today's increasingly fast paced world relationships should be more important than ever. Yet, in an era dominated by pressures of late-stage capitalism, that all powerful connection is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Human interactions seem to be fraying, as even our most personal bonds become commodities. The phenomenon is not merely an economic issue but one that profoundly affects the social and emotional aspects of our lives.
The Commodification of Human Interaction
At its core, capitalism is built on the idea of supply and demand, and in recent years, this logic has spread through to the most intimate aspects of our life. Genuine connection is increasingly commodified. Dating apps, social media and even friendships have become marketable products. Hell, we are becoming encouraged to “optimize” our relationships in the same way we might our own resumes. Perfectly curated profiles, content crafted painstakingly, or “networking” for the sake of status or professional gain. This mindset significantly alters the way we experience relationships. It is becoming less about emotional fulfillment or true companionship; more and more they often come to represent a means to an end, such as validation, social advancement or just plain convenience. As a result depth and authenticity is slowly dwindling away, replaced by surface level interactions that prioritize utility or genuine intimacy.
The Strain of Overwork and Workplace Stress
One of the most visible effects of late stage capitalism is the ever-increasing pressure to work. Longer hours, multiple jobs, remaining ever present in the work environment. In many capitalist societies, the expectation to be constantly productive, whether in the office or in one’s “side hustle”, leaves us with little time or energy for personal relationships. Financial success and career advancement often comes at the expense of time spent with loved ones, eroding the quality of romantic bonds.
The effects of overwork are unquestionable. The constant stress, burnout and exhaustion are rife, leaving people too mentally and emotionally drained to engage meaningfully with others. The steady breakdown of the work-life balance exacerbates the feelings of isolation, as personal relationships are relegated to a secondary position in the pursuit of financial survival.
Alienation and the Rise of Individualism
Emilie Durkheim’s theory on alienation was especially concerned with how modern society, with its increasingly specialized labor and weakening social bonds, led to feelings of disconnection. This is especially relevant in the context of late stage capitalism and the increasingly specialized labor and weakening social bonds. People are becoming increasingly isolated, disconnected from each other and even their own sense of fulfillment.
In our capitalist society that values personal success above all else, emotional and social needs are being overlooked. This alienation is amplified as people are forced to focus on accumulating wealth, advancing in their careers, or achieving the most personal of goals, like buying their first home, rather than fostering connections with others. Our society encourages self-interest and competition, making the nurturing of a healthy relationship more and more difficult.
Financial Stress and the Strain on Personal Bonds
The ever rising economic inequality has made financial security a near constant source of anxiety for families and individuals alike. Housing costs are skyrocketing, student loan debt reaching historic highs and wages stagnating, people are more constantly stressed by their own finances. Whilst that insecurity can seep into personal relationships, as families struggle to make ends meet and partners argue over money. It even goes as far as for those whose relationships are unhappy or even ended, trapped together in rental agreements they can’t escape or refuse to leave out of convenience. A separate survey by L&C mortgage advisors revealed that one in ten people are prepared to stay in an unhappy relationship if it meant they could get a good enough position on the property ladder. This sort of ‘rentlationship’ is becoming too common of a theme in this capitalist age.
The Culture of Consumerism and Superficiality
Late stage capitalism is a machine that feeds on our need to consume, whether that be goods, services or experiences in the pursuit of happiness. The culture of consumption spills into our relationships, where external appearance, material possessions or status symbols are being prioritized over emotional intimacy or connection.
The now constant pressure to keep up with trends, travel to exotic destinations or presenting a curated version of oneself on social media, creates a superficial standard of what modern day relationships should look like. Emotional depth and mutual support have drifted and any real outpouring feelings are uploaded to the online world for the rest of the World to judge and participate in like a communal cat box. Instead, we focus on trying to meet societal expectations of what relationships should be, based on what is currently “trending”, or what can be shown off to everyone else. This approach can result in short-lived, shallow and often fraught relationships.
The Price of Capitalism on Human Connection
In a modern world where success is measured by economic achievement and status, relationships have often taken a backseat. And as long as capitalism continues to prioritize profit over people, the erosion of meaningful and powerful connection between people will likely persist. To rebuild these connections, we must recognize the toll capitalism takes on our social lives and begin to revalue relationships not as commodities, but as the vital, life-affirming bonds that they truly could be. The big question is, are we prepared to work for them anymore?