Marx proposed a social revolution to change society. But I would prefer something without bloodshed. Its not an easy question, and there aren't any real easy answers. The nature of capitalism is not conducive to a healthy society. Not that communism is either. Socialism might be a better medium in between the two, but its highly doubtful America would fully move in that direction and denounce the current system. Not in my life time anyway, though this isn't a true democracy and there are elements of socialism already present. There really isn't a perfect social system. Because the element of human bias and interests will never allow for a perfect society. However I think its possible to provide better care to people who have mental illnesses and to make small, gradual changes over time that will develop into a new, hybrid social-political system. Nothing stays the same indefinitely, and Obama has made progress into reforming how society takes care of itself. It will be interesting to see who gets elected next, and what course they will take.

But if any of you haven't read Durkheim or Marx I highly recommend it. Not to make anyone a communist, that isn't my intention (I am not a communist myself, but I don't condemn people who are). They both talk about the challenges of capitalism and society on the individual. And while Marx was published in the 1800s, much of what he said its applicable because the system itself hasn't changed all that much, but the worker's environments have. Somewhat. Depending on where you live in the world and what you do. When I worked in the factory I understand alienation from my product really well. I've lived through what Marx wrote, and understand how it all ties into psychology as well. If work makes you feel like a machine, when you're treated like a machine instead of a human being, you are alienated from your humanity and it does affect you mentally.