Analysis of Global Capitalism and Antagonism in the System

Capitalism requires people to fear for their jobs, be unable to demand better pay or conditions, and exploit cheap labor and resources from other countries to function. These aspects are not malfunctions but vital features of the system, sustaining the concentration of wealth and power in developed nations. The system thrives on the constant creation of 'the other' to maintain its structure. The analogy of capitalism to a combustion engine illustrates that the inherent antagonism in the system cannot be eliminated entirely without fundamentally changing its nature. Zizek argues that democratic socialism fails to address this core issue, merely preserving a broken system that relies on the exploitation of certain groups. He believes that true removal of exploitation would render it non-capitalism. Zizek opposes democratic socialism as a political strategy, considering it superficial and perpetuating exploitation. The provision of services like healthcare and housing by democratic socialism, while beneficial, only masks the underlying problem of exploitation. Zizek highlights a shift in subjectivity among people today, which is not the traditional hierarchical patriarchal thinking but indicates a new form of ideology aligning with contemporary societal structures.