In the US (but also globally), we see the emergence of a new form of work: on-de

In the US (but also globally), we see the emergence of a new form of work: on-demand labor enabled by digital platforms wherein workers are dispersed and do particular tasks (from labeling an image, playing a game, driving a car to web design) for particular employers. Some have argued that these new kinds of work help workers become more entrepreneurial, work according to their own schedules, and enable innovation. Critics however contend that on-demand platform labor is inherently unfair to workers and can be used for nefarious purposes. Using on-demand labor enabled by digital platforms as your case-study, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Marxism as a theory of society. Your essay should be no more than 1500 words (including references). Your essay should advance your own argument, and draw on at least 6 of the class readings (at least 3 should be labeled with a *). You should place a priority on clear expression, rigorous argumentation, and write for an intelligent audience that has not necessarily read the sources in question.
Your essay should follow the following format: Title: Give your essay a title that best reflects your argument. (E.g. “What is the future of work?” ) Thesis Paragraph: Your first paragraph is your thesis paragraph. Your thesis should be about Marxism. Your thesis paragraph contains your overarching argument. A good way to craft an argument is to frame it as the answer to a specific question. Consider the difference between these two candidate arguments in a thesis paragraph: (a) “The French Revolution was a time of important changes in society.” (b) “Though often described as a radical departure from previous social and political conditions, the French Revolution ultimately had more in common with the Ancien Régime than with modern democratic societies.” The first putative thesis statement would likely be followed by summaries of information; the second thesis statement presents a specific argument that requires documentation and defense in the body of the paper. Or to put it differently: no one could possibly argue with statement (a) but they definitely could with statement (b), which therefore requires you to defend it in the body of your essay. Statement (b) is an answer to a question regarding continuity and change in the flow of history.
Body: The body of your essay must then explain and defend your thesis. See the rubric for what it should cover. The structure of your paragraphs is up to you, but make sure that each is tied back to the thesis and that you clearly define the theory(ies) of Marxism that you are engaging with.
References: At the end of your essay, list the class readings (at least 6) you have used to support your argument. (Don’t forget the “Of further interest” readings in the syllabus; you might find them useful in laying out your argument.)
These readings must be cited in the body of your paper. Please refer to this document on guidelines about how to use sources in the text of your paper: How_to_use_sources.pdf [Source: Professor Heather Paxson from MIT]. We don’t have a preferred format as long as your references are consistent and we can look up the reference and/or the quotes. Each assigned reading counts as a source (so there are several Marx sources). You don’t have to use all six equally. Some might be a core part of your argument, while others might be used to back up your definition of Marxism. You can even use one of the liberal theorists or Pateman or Mills as a source (if you wanted a counter-point to Marx) but they can be no more than one source.