Does Capitalism Exploit Workers?

The idea that capitalism exploits workers stems from Karl Marx's work in the late 1800s. Although the definition of "exploitation" has changed since then, many still believe capitalist systems take advantage of vulnerable workers. Prof. Matt Zwolinski explains why capitalism actually tends to protect workers' interests. And Zwolinski contends that even if it were exploitative, increasing political regulation and control would actually make the problem worse. Increases in government make citizens more vulnerable to the state. Political officials are tempted to exploit this vulnerability for the benefit of the politically well connected. Unlike free market transactions, which are mutually beneficial, when politics is involved one party's gain usually comes at someone else's expense.

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[abram730]

labor theory that most scholars today reject.. Do those same scholars also say that fleas provide valuable blood to dogs and are vital for their survival?

Capitalism = Evil is the greatest force good, a system that give absolute power to the parasites of humanity.

[Vincent Hughes]

That's the silliest load of bollocks. You're assuming that the only things the slaves desire is a roof over their head and a meal. You're not accounting for the lack of freedom and rights that humans desire that when taken away define slavery.

[Danny777Crowley]

Slavery is good because it is mutually beneficial. Masters get workers and the slaves get a roof over their head and a meal.

[OllytheOl]

And the telling word is 'close', right? Close is still *less than* the fair price. You didn't say what happened when the auction got to $0.99. Did anyone bid a dollar? No - that makes no sense. And yet the going rate for a dollar is - a dollar. That's the only fair price.

Ergo, workers are working for less than they are worth. The only point of that auction is to get something for nothing. The only point of capitalism is to get something for nothing.

[Kyong Kim]

Businesses cannot form cartel and maintain it like you think.

If you don't take advantage of extra workers, somebody else will.

You're half right about reserve army of labor. What you don't see is that you also have a liberty to start a business, and we will have army of employers as well.

Ask yourself. if being an employer is such an easy game with "reserve army of labor", why aren't you becoming one?

Because you know it's risky and difficult. All business, big and small, always face this.

[Kyong Kim]

I sense you're sour about Chinese workers taking your job.

It's better to let other country do what they can product cheaper, and trade with what we can produce better.

I'm sure we have a lot to produce and offer if we let private sector do its part.

[Kyong Kim]

Sure enough, we didn't have full scale free market in purest form.

But I think it's reasonable to say Britain in 1700s~1800s then America 1800s ~early 1900s had a pretty decent free market. And that's when it really went nicely.

There is always a business cycle of boom and bust as it grows. It's not free market in problem, but a natural part. Leave it alone, and it recovers quickly and with better arranged structure.

[Tonyiommi1000]

Yes I watched the video. It's agit prop. When there are multiple business around they collude. Wages shrink when theirs unemployment and the reserve army of labor (in this case a global army) drives wages down to increase the margins of the very wealthy. You have NEVER had a free market. Period. AT all.Ever. This video is a fantasy.

[Tonyiommi1000]

You've NEVER had a free market because it's a myth like the tooth fairy and santa clause. In fact anytime the unitred states approximates something like a free market theirs usually a crash. The financial industries have this problem routinely. The real reason US isn't manufacturing is because you can pay chinese workers PENNIES (or thai or vietnam) to get them to do it to increase the margins of those who control the means of production.