Marxism’s alienation theory posits that capitalism disconnects individuals from their humanity, creative labor and fellow beings resulting in four types of alienation i.e. from labor, product, others and human potential, stifling self realization and freedom.

Key aspects of Alienation –

1. In Marx’s alienation theory, alienation of labor occurs when workers are disconnected from their creative potential becoming commodities exploited for profit, losing control and meaning.
2. Marx’s alienation from product occurs when workers do not own or control the goods/services they produce, separating them from their creative output and intellectual property.
3. Marx’s alienation from others arises when capitalist competition and wage labor replace cooperative relationships, isolating individuals and converting social interactions into market transactions and exploitation.
4. Marx’s alienation from human potential occurs when capitalism stifles individuals creative freedom, autonomy and self realization reducing them to specialized, mechanized labor, hindering personal growth and fulfillment.

Karl Marx’s alienation theory still holds truth today. Modern issues like gig work, social media and automation continue to disconnect people from their creativity, community and true potential, fueling feelings of isolation and disempowerment.