Explain these points in a simple language : 1) The division of labor leads to so

Question

Explain these points in a simple language :

1)  The division of labor leads to social processes and products which escape human control and which reduce the objects produced by human beings into vehicles of abstract exchange value. Unbalanced relations of class, power, private property, the wages system, political alienation all follow as a matter of course.

2) Since Marx believed that it is labor that determines the exchange value of commodities, the exchange of labor for wages is not reciprocally balanced. In fact what is exchanged is not labor at all, but labor power---the capacity to work.

3) Marx while responding to the consideration of labor as commodity asserts three counter points:

a . Labor is not just an inanimate commodity and cannot therefore be reduced to exchange relations.

b . The commodity exchanged—labor power—is not the equivalent of that entering the labor process—labor.

c . The consumption of labor power does not take place within the sphere of circulation, or market, at a fair exchange, but within the sphere of production under conditions of gross inequality.

Explanation / Answer

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) (1) Marx believed that the work people do or labour is divided based on what is produced. For instance, a farmer would be of a different labour class compared to a doctor. Although, Marx believes that such a division goes beyond the control of humanity and is then controlled by class, division, politics, wages, power etc.

(2) Marx believed that products had their own utility. In other words, he believed that a product is as valuable as its usefulness. Similarly, he believed that each labourer possesses a level of utility based on their capacity to work. Idealistically, Marx believed that since labour creates products, the price of both should be balanced. Unfortunately, Marx has not observed this balance in society and claims that labour is not assigned as much value as labour power.

(3) Marx urged society to be a little more humane towards labourers but considering their services to be personified. If this is done, it would lead to the following issues:

He said that labour should not be turned into a raw-material or commodity so that it is not exchanged with poor consideration.

The labour process would not be duly valued in accordance with how much labour work is actually worth.

Labour work would not be fairly exchanged in a way that would account for proper circulation within a market. Rather, labour power would be treated with unjustified inequality.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse E
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.