This academic essay, titled "A Labor Approach to the Development of the Self or 'Modern Personality:' The Case of Public Education," delves into the profound relationship between economic and political institutions and their influence on individual behavior and attitudes. Building upon the theoretical framework established by Karl Mannheim and Karl Marx, the essay explores how the economic mode of production shapes the very essence of selfhood and personality within the context of modern society. The author, Paul C. Mocombe, meticulously examines the role of public education as a powerful instrument in this process, analyzing how educational institutions, through their curriculum, pedagogy, and organizational structures, both reflect and perpetuate the prevailing social and economic order. By exploring the intricate interplay between economic forces, political structures, and educational institutions, this essay offers a compelling argument that the development of the modern self is inherently intertwined with the dominant mode of production and the broader social context.